Nico Schlotterbeck says Borussia Dortmund are targeting two more wins to seal automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League following their 4-0 win over Villarreal.
Dortmund are fourth in the 36-team standings ahead of Wednesday’s matches, having taken 10 points from their opening five games.
Tuesday’s result was their most impressive yet in this edition of the competition, as Niko Kovac’s team took advantage of Juan Foyth’s red card to romp to victory.
Serhou Guirassy scored twice – his second goal coming from the rebound of his own saved penalty – while Karim Adeyemi and Daniel Svensson struck to round out the scoring.
Last season, 16 points were enough to secure a place in the top eight in the league stage, with Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa all reaching the finish line.
Dortmund’s final three games are at home against Bodo/Glimt, away against Tottenham and at home against Inter, and Schlotterbeck believes two wins at Signal Iduna Park will be enough.
“It’s not easy because I think you need 16 to 17 points,” Nico Schlotterbeck told Amazon Prime Video after Tuesday’s match.
“There are now three games left, two of which are at home. I think if you win both at home, you are done.”
“We have now also scored four goals. I think that such a goal difference can ultimately do us good.”
“And for the first time we have now kept a clean sheet. We had already conceded a lot of goals in the Champions League, so this is an all-round successful day.”
Dortmund were limited to just four shots and 0.87 expected goals (xG) in the first half, but helped by Foyth’s dismissal they collected nine shots and 3.16 xG in the second half.
Schlotterbeck hailed their improvement after the break and praised Guirrassy – who has scored more Champions League goals than any other player since the start of last season (22, 16 goals, six assists) – for remaining patient.
“We came out of the break better and that was important. In general we hardly allowed anything and in the second half we were really good,” said Schlotterbeck.
“It hasn’t been easy for Serhou either. He gets our confidence and that’s where you have to be as a striker.”
Dortmund now take on Bayer Leverkusen in back-to-back matches, away in the Bundesliga on Saturday and at home next Tuesday in the last 16 of the DFB Pokal.
#Schlotterbeck #Dortmund #aims #wins #place #top #Champions #League #Soccer #News