Former German international, Per Mertesacker has given his insights on how Borussia Dortmund can get past Tottenham Hotspur across the two legs of the Champions League knockout tie.
Spurs are set to host the Bundesliga leaders on Wednesday night at the Wembley. While Mauricio Pochettino’s men have collected inspiring victories recently over Watford, Newcastle United and Leicester City, they are significantly weaker without the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli in the squad.
BVB did undergo a disappointing 3-3 draw against TSG Hoffenheim last weekend after losing their 3-goal cushion in the final 20 minutes of the game. Lucien Favre’s side has been firing on all cylinders this term and could find themselves at an advantageous position without the Spurs duo up front.
Speaking to German news outlet, Kicker, Mertesacker, however, recognized a different reason as to why Dortmund gets the nod over Tottenham in this particular tie.
He said, “I’ve personally experienced what it’s like when the most intense month is December, when your body actually has to shut down to be fit for the crucial games in April, May. That’s why the English record in the last sixteen is so weak, the German clubs have to exploit that factor and keep up the pace, and they should not be intimidated.”
It would benefit you to know that English sides have registered 9 final appearances in the Champions League over the past 15 years while German clubs have recorded simply 4.
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