UEFA Champions League Round of 16 – First Leg
The match between Borussia Dortmund and Lille OSC will take place at Signal Iduna Park
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
The match takes place at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund within Germany.
Kick-Off: 20:00 UTC (21:00 CET, 15:00 EST)
Current Date: March 3, 2025
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 sparks to life tomorrow. Borussia Dortmund host Lille OSC at Signal Iduna Park. This first-leg showdown promises fireworks. German determination meets French style as the main competition factor in this match. The two clubs need to win their contest to move into quarterfinal territory. Thus, the stakes soar skyward.
The tenth-placed team from Bundesliga Dortmund secured their win over Sporting CP by winning 3-0 in their round-of-playoff series. They arrive with grit. Lille secured direct entry into the Round of 16 in seventh position of their league group. Despite losing 4-1 against PSG last March their overall European performance is impressive. Dortmund stands to gain from their famous supporter base known as the Yellow Wall. Which team between Lille and Dortmund will dominate this match but first? Either way, this clash enthralls.
Historical Context
The clubs participated together in Europe for a short period. The teams played against each other in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup Round of 16. Lille drew 1-1 at home on February 21, 2002. In their second matchup of the season Dortmund prevented a defeat when they secured a goalless draw on February 28. The tie in this match went to Lille because they performed better on opponent grounds. Competitive meetings between Dortmund and Lille have only ever occurred once.
In broader terms, Dortmund struggle against French sides. The German side has managed victories in three out of twelve European matches against Ligue 1 teams during their history. During Group Stage 2023-24 of the UEFA competition Dortmund conceded a double loss to PSG. Despite facing German clubs Lille maintained a mixed winning pattern in their past matches. The German team has managed to overcome Bayern Munich with a 1-0 victory in 2005 although Wolfsburg defeated them 3-1 in 2021. Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid became their wins during the 2024-25 season. Thus, recent form favors Lille slightly. Still, Dortmund’s home edge looms large.
Team News
Borussia Dortmund:
The squad under Niko Kovač experiences regular peaks and valleys. Borussia Dortmund defeated St. Pauli with a score of 4-1 during their Bundesliga game on March 1. Serhou Guirassy bagged a brace. However, injuries plague them. The team management faces absences due to injury and recovery from Sébastien Haller (post-cancer recovery) and Marco Reus (ankle). Marius Wolf (knock) and Jamie Gittens (shoulder) will not feature against Hertha BSC.
The goalkeeper position belongs to Gregor Kobel at the current moment. Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck pair in defense. The defence consists of Julian Ryerson and Ramy Bensebaini who play as wing-backs. The defensive strength of the team emerges from the partnership of Marcel Sabitzer and Emre Can in the midfield area. Julian Brandt creates. Up top, Guirassy leads. On the left side Karim Adeyemi teams up with Donyell Malen while playing in attack. Kjell Wätjen plays a crucial defensive role due to his strong performance at youth level. The coaching staff could use Maximilian Beier as an option from the bench.
Kovač knows the drill. Sporting taught him how teams should function through united actions because that is how his team operates. Therefore, he’ll demand intensity.
Lille OSC:
PSG defeated Bruno Genesio’s side 4-1. Jonathan David did not come onto the field during the match. In spite of their positioning at the sixth spot of Ligue 1 football they have not stopped their progress. The fixture against PSG will be without Xeka due to an ankle injury. Aïssa Mandi, however, returns from a knock. He trained this week.
Lucas Chevalier plays as the starting goalkeeper for this game. Defenseman Alexsandro partners with Mandi in Sporting CP’s starting eleven. Tiago Santos and Gabriel Gudmundsson man the wings. Benjamin André and Angel Gomes control the midfield operations as Lille OSC conducts their gameplay. Rémy Cabella pulls strings. Up top, David leads. The striker receives his support from Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Edon Zhegrova. The substitute player Hákon Haraldsson contributes offensive energy to the team.
Genesio eyes redemption. After PSG the team would concentrate solely on the upcoming Dortmund match according to his post-match statement. Thus, he’ll push for sharpness.
Tactical Preview
Borussia Dortmund:
Kovač blends grit and flair. He opts for a 4-2-3-1 setup. During Champions League matches this season Dortmund have pushed up into high positions to score 17 goals. Guirassy has scored nine goals making his performance rank as the second highest total among all players. Adeyemi and Malen stretch defenses. Sabitzer together with Can maintain their position in the midfield.
However, injuries thin them out. Brandt must ignite attacks. Plus, their defense leaks. Borussia Dortmund has surrendered 12 goals during their eighth league-phase games. Lille’s counters could punish. Still, set-pieces favor them. Süle and Schlotterbeck tower in the air. The team will focus on attacking Lille through their defense lines from the sides and activate their high pressing defense early on.
Lille OSC:
Genesio favors balance. He deploys a 4-3-3 formation. Lille plays defensive approach since they established four clean sheets across eight European games. Consequently, they’ll sit tight. Then, they’ll break fast. David’s six goals lead them. Zhegrova and Fernandez-Pardo add pace.
Moreover, André and Gomes control midfield. Still, PSG exposed gaps. Dortmund’s press could exploit this. Mandi and Alexsandro need to maintain high alertness throughout the match. Conversely, Lille’s 13 goals in the league phase show bite. The team will first focus on defensive plays while preparing offensive attacking strategies.
Key Players to Watch
Borussia Dortmund – Serhou Guirassy:
Guirassy fires on all cylinders. With nine Champions League goals his total falls behind PSV’s Luuk de Jong. Plus, his hold-up play shines. Shakhtar faced two goals from Guirassy during that match. He’ll test Mandi’s grit.
Lille OSC – Jonathan David:
David dazzles in Europe. During this season David has scored six important goals. His movement troubles markers. The 1-0 win he scored against Real Madrid displayed his composure on the field. He’ll eye Dortmund’s backline.
Karim Adeyemi faces off against Gabriel Gudmundsson in a crucial direct match-up between the two attacking players:
Adeyemi brings speed. His dribbling torments foes. Gudmundsson counters with nous. Once Adeyemi manages to escape his marker Dortmund become dangerous. When Gudmundsson keeps possession of the ball Lille will maintain defensive stability.
Unsung Hero – Marcel Sabitzer:
Sabitzer steadies Dortmund. His 88 percent accuracy rating ensures continuous flow to Dortmund’s attacks. Plus, his tackles disrupt. He’ll target Gomes.
X-Factor – Edon Zhegrova:
Zhegrova sparks Lille. His three assists dazzle. Against PSG, he faded. Tomorrow, he could ignite.
Recent Form
Borussia Dortmund: W-D-W-W-L
- St. Pauli 1-4 Dortmund (Bundesliga, March 1)
- Dortmund played a goalless draw against Sporting CP during their Champions League Playoff encounter that took place on February 11.
- Sporting CP lost 0-3 against Dortmund in the Champions League Playoff that took place on February 4.
- Dortmund 3-1 Shakhtar (Champions League, January 29)
- Freiburg 2-1 Dortmund (Bundesliga, February 15)
Dortmund showed improved form by winning against St. Pauli while staying solid in their Sporting CP draw. Sporting’s shutout shows steel.
Lille OSC: L-W-D-W-W
- PSG 4-1 Lille (Ligue 1, March 1)
- Lille 2-0 Sturm Graz (Champions League, January 29)
- Rennes 1-1 Lille (Ligue 1, February 15)
- Lille 6-1 Feyenoord (Champions League, November 6)
- Lille 3-1 Atlético Madrid (Champions League, October 23)
PSG humbled them. Still, Europe brings joy. Feyenoord’s thrashing stands out.
Statistical Spotlight
Dortmund attack fiercely. In the Champions League competition Dortmund players have netted 17 goals. Lille forwards scored nine goals to lead the team followed by Adeyemi delivering an additional three. Their opponents have fired 38 shots at them during qualifying matches which makes them rank third in their group. Meanwhile, Lille balance well. David scored six goals for Lille while Zhegrova added two and the remainder of the team collected the remaining five.
Defensively, Lille edge it. Dortmundtrail their rivals with a total of two clean sheets while Lille maintain four clean sheets. The Bundesliga statistics show Dortmund teams score 1.8 goals each match. The Lille team achieved 1.6 goals per match in Ligue 1 but gave up only 0.9 goals against during league play. Team Dortmund brings their aggressive style to challenge the calm approach of Lille OSQ.
Managerial Mindsets
Niko Kovač:
Kovač steadies Dortmund. His Sporting shutout showed grit. In his St. Pauli interview the coach stated “We build step-by-step.” As a result he will trust the supporters for guidance. Still, he respects Lille. “They’re lethal away,” he noted.
Bruno Genesio:
Genesio rallies Lille. His European run impresses. After PSG players underwent a reset with Dortmund the team in their sights he explained. Thus, he’ll demand focus. He knows Dortmund’s threat, too. “Their press hurts,” he warned.
Fan Pulse
On X, chatter buzzes. @BVBForever predicts, “Guirassy scores, 2-1.” Conversely, @LilleLad says, “David strikes, 1-0.” A draw sits well with the account @UCLNut according to their posted view. The recent PSG defeat at home by Lille serves to control the current enthusiasm.
Venue Factor
Signal Iduna Park roars. Dortmund succeeded in all three home Champions League matches this season together with two draws and one loss. The Yellow Wall—81,365 strong—intimidates. For Lille, it’s daunting. The team displayed enough courage to secure a 1-0 victory at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Prediction
This tie balances finely. First, Dortmund’s home edge looms. Both Shakhtar and Sporting Club have fallen to Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in previous matches. Plus, Guirassy’s form terrifies. However, injuries thin them. Their defense wobbles, too.
Meanwhile, Lille shine in Europe. The team has already defeated Real Madrid and Atlético during their current season. Still, PSG exposed frailty. David’s benching raises questions. On X, @UCLTalker predicts, “Close, 1-1.” Likewise, @StatsGuru agrees. That tracks. Guirassy strikes. David replies. A 1-1 draw feels spot-on. The Decathlon Arena is the target of both teams scheduled for March 12.
- Predicted Scoreline: Dortmund 1-1 Lille
- Key Moment: Lille level late. It mirrors their grit.
Broader Implications
A draw keeps it open. If Dortmund face this situation in an away match they would trust their previous road-playing statistics. A Lille team benefits when it holds the advantage. Every team in this scenario ends up feeling a burning pain from the defeat. The second leg looms massive. This result shapes their paths.
Conclusion
Signal Iduna Park prepares itself for battle. Dortmund chase control. Lille hunt an upset. With Guirassy and David shining, goals loom. Yet, defenses might hold. This initial match creates nervous energy as a result. Fans, don’t blink.
