Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund host Lille at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Dortmund enter this match in strong form, while Lille look to recover from a heavy Ligue 1 defeat.
📅 Match Date: March 5, 2025
⏰ Nepali Time: 1:45 AM
🏟 Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
Match Preview
Borussia Dortmund’s Form
Dortmund are unbeaten in their last three matches, securing back-to-back victories with clean sheets. They come into this game after a 2-0 away win over FC St. Pauli, with Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi scoring in the second half.
🔹 Key Stat: Dortmund have lost just one of their last 16 home Champions League matches.
Lille’s Form
Lille suffered a 4-1 loss to PSG last week, conceding four goals in the first half. They have struggled in away games this year, winning just two of their six matches in 2025, one of which came via penalties.
🔹 Key Stat: Lille have scored at least two goals in four of their last six Champions League games.
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
✅ Previous Meetings: Dortmund and Lille have met twice before, both ending in draws in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup.
✅ Dortmund’s Home Record: Dortmund have lost only two of their 15 home matches against French clubs.
✅ Lille’s Away Struggles: Lille have lost three of their last four away games, conceding eight goals.
✅ High-Scoring Dortmund: The hosts netted 22 goals in the group stage, second only to Barcelona (28).
Team News
Borussia Dortmund
🚑 Out: Felix Nmecha (knee)
🟡 Doubtful: Carney Chukwuemeka (thigh)
✅ Returning: Julian Ryerson (flu, likely to start on the bench)
🔹 Key Player: Serhou Guirassy – Scored in Dortmund’s last match and will be crucial in attack.
Lille
🚑 Out: Edon Zhegrova, Tiago Santos, Samuel Umtiti (injuries)
🟡 Doubtful: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Osame Sahraoui
✅ Returning: Jonathan David (expected to start after scoring against PSG)
🔹 Key Player: Jonathan David – Lille’s top scorer and a threat against Dortmund’s defense.
Predicted Lineups
🟡 Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1):
Kobel; Meunier, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Can, Brandt; Sancho, Reus, Adeyemi; Guirassy
🔴 Lille (4-3-3):
Chevalier; Diakite, Yoro, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Andre, Bentaleb, Cabella; David, Ounas, Haraldsson
Match Prediction
Dortmund have the home advantage and are in strong form, while Lille’s poor away record could be a major factor. Expect the hosts to dominate possession and capitalize on defensive weaknesses in Lille’s lineup.
🔮 Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Lille
Where to Watch from Nepal
📺 Live on: Score808, Live7HD, Epics Sports
