Borussia Dortmund’s hopes of progressing to the second round of the UEFA Champions League face a litmus test when they host Napoli at the Westfalenstadion this morning. Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.45am AEDT.
November has proven to be a difficult month for Jurgen Klopp’s charges.
A 6-1 demolition of VfB Stuttgart on November 1 had been their seventh win in eight matches in all competitions, but since then they’ve slipped to Arsenal (1-0), VfL Wolfsburg (2-1) and a humiliating 3-0 loss at home to Bayern Munich on Saturday.
With two matches remaining in the group phase of the Champions League, they sit precariously in third spot and will be eliminated should they lose tonight and Arsenal do not.
Their defense has failed to keep a clean sheet in their past six matches and things won’t be any easier tonight, with first-choice central defensive pairing Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic both long-term absentees.
Additionally, Marcel Schmelzer and screening midfielder Ilkay Gundogan are also out, although Lukasz Piszczek may return after appearing in Saturday’s Der Klassiker as a substitute and club stalwart Sebastian Kehl co
Thankfully for the home side their opponents haven’t fared much better in recent times.
On Saturday the Partenopei meekly succumbed 1-0 at the Stadio San Paolo to Parma, having been well beaten 3-0 in their previous league outing at Juventus a fortnight earlier.
Manager Rafa Benitez has his own injury headaches with key midfidler Marek Hamsik limping off during the loss to Parma, and Juan Zuniga and Giandomenico Mesto also did not travel to Germany with the squad.
When these two sides met on the opening night of the group phase last year’s finalists Dortmund imploded, both on and off the pitch.
Goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne were enough to give Napoli a 2-1 victory, in a match that saw goalkeeper Roman Wiedenfeller red carded and Klopp banished to the stands after an extraordinary outburst in the wake of Higuain’s goal.
Saturday’s loss to Bayern may not have entirely extinguished Dortmund’s hopes of wresting the domestic crown back from the Bavarian giants but even the most optimistic supporter would have to admit that their chances are slim.
Put simply, it makes tonight’s match absolutely crucial. Anything but a win could have long-term implications for both Klopp and his team.
Watch the Champions League highlights of Borussia Dortmund vs Napoli:
AZ_RBB
Guest
Every BVB game is such a joy to watch. I didn't catch all of this morning's encounter but from what I saw both teams put on a good show. To still play so excellently with the mountain of injuries they have, is genuinely impressive. I can see 3 teams finishing on 12 points in this group. Marseille were unlucky to get caught up in this group. They might have had a good chance of progressing in a couple of others.
Alan
Roar Guru
Dortmund were the better team tonight against Napoli, producing chance after chance, and they eventually took enough of them to seal a 3-1 victory. Napoli and Dortmund are now tied on 9 points each but Dortmund overtake them on goal difference. Napoli now need to beat Arsenal in Italy to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Dortmund with a win at Marseille should also be able to qualify as well. Such a tight group will go down to the wire. Reina superb for Napoli tonight but man of the match was Mkhitaryan. Superb performance from the Armenian. Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
nordster
Guest
nice:)
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Grosskreutz out wide for Dortmund here. Napoli though win the ball back and now win the throw. Napoli with a second goal here will remain in second position in the group Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE NAPOLI - Decent attempt from Insigne here forces a strong save from Weidenfeller. Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Corner for Dortmund as they put the squeeze on Napoli here. Dortmund deserved victors tonight despite Reina's heroics for Napoli Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Dortmund attack out wide. Napoli players behind the ball. Dortmund win the freekick Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - Dortmund win the freekick and are a few minutes away from securing a vital victory here. What a final matchday we have coming up in group F! Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE DORTMUND - Mkhitaryan with another great run and he shoots but the ball comes off the post! Great effort nonetheless Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Lewandoski offside here as Napoli win the freekick. Time against the Italian outfit though. Need a goal soon to make a game of this Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Zapata with a strike and Weidenfeller forced into a sharp save. Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - With this result, Dortmund will surely qualify if they beat Marseille away from home on the last matchday. Huge match between Napoli and Arsenal now. Dortmund 2 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Dortmund back in control of the game thanks to a fine finish from Aubameyang who earlier missed a one on one chance. Napoli in trouble again Dortmund 2 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL DORTMUND - Lewandoski sets up Aubamayank who scores the winner surely! Dortmund 3 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Have to say that despite Dortmund's dominance, I feel Napoli will get the equaliser, given the amount of chances missed by Dortmund. Reina though deserves enormous credit for that Dortmund 2 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Zapata comes on for Pandev. Mertens with another poor delivery but Napoli still with possession. Dortmund win the freekick though Dortmund 2 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Napoli win the freekick but Reina has produced an inspiring performance in goal for Napoli tonight. If Napoli draw level, Reina should have a statue built for him. Dortmund 2 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE DORTMUND - Reina keeps Napoli in the contest! Great through ball from Lewandoski to release Aubamayarak but Reina one on one superb! Dortmund 2 Napoli 1
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Well Dortmund in a spot of bother again here after leading 2 nil. Napoli won't go away now after scoring. Cross comes in but Bender clears for Dortmund who are under a little pressure Dortmund 2 Napoli 1