Anfield return holds no fear for Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund have no qualms about coping with an electric
Anfield atmosphere on Thursday when the German giants take on Liverpool
in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Divock Origi’s away goal, later cancelled out by a Mats Hummels
header in a 1-1 draw in Dortmund, put Liverpool in a favourable position
as Jurgen Klopp made an emotional return to his former club.
However, Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel is confident his side can reach
the last four despite Liverpool’s imposing home record against German
opposition with the Reds unbeaten in 15 matches.
“We can score away goals too, and we can score more than one,” said
Tuchel, whose team effectively surrendered any hopes of chasing down
Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga after twice conceding the lead in
Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Ruhr Valley rivals Schalke.
“We are not frightened. We have been to a lot of places and scored
and won,” he added, with Dortmund unbeaten in 18 games since the turn of
the year.
Liverpool midfielder James Milner though is counting on the Anfield
faithful to spur on the home side as they continue their quest for a
12th European trophy, three of which have come in this competition.
“Any player wants to play in the big games and the best atmospheres.
European nights at Anfield are definitely right up there with anywhere
on the planet,” Milner told the club’s official website.
“That’s going to be massively important for us no matter what
happens. Even if the worst happens and they get an early goal, (the
fans) can roar us on to get back into the game.
“We managed to nullify their fans – which is a great atmosphere as
well – and got a good result. Hopefully we can use our atmosphere.”
Liverpool will likely be without captain Jordan Henderson for the
rest of the season after the England international injured his knee
during the first leg at the Westfalenstadion.
Sevilla can move a step
closer towards a third successive title when they host La Liga rivals
Athletic Bilbao, with the holders leading 2-1 from the first leg.
Veteran striker Aritz Aduriz headed Athletic in front with his
competition-leading ninth goal at San Mames, but goals from Timothee
Kolodziejczak and Vicente Iborra put Sevilla in control after their
first away win in Europe this season.
Four-time champions Sevilla are on a record run of 11 straight home
victories in the Europa League, while Unai Emery’s men beat Athletic 2-0
when the sides met in the league in January.
Cedric Bakambu continued his excellent debut season with Villarreal,
scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at home to Sparta Prague last week.
The Democratic Republic of Congo striker struck again in Sunday’s 2-0
victory over to Getafe to keep Villarreal on course for next season’s
Champions League and the Spaniards will look to him once more to fire
them into the semi-finals in the Czech Republic.
Shakhtar Donetsk, the 2009 UEFA Cup champions, are in the driving
seat in their tie against 2011 runners-up Braga after a 2-1 victory in
Portugal.
However, the Ukrainian outfit suffered a costly blow to their
domestic title hopes at the weekend after conceding an injury-time
equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk to fall five points
behind leaders Dynamo Kiev.