So, we go into this CL Round of 16 2nd leg match against Dortmund in bad form, winless in 3 matches. Normally a 3-0 lead from the first leg is enough to win any matches. But with our past record with such leads and our current bad form, we cannot get complacent. Fortunately for us, Dortmund are in bad form as well, winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 1 since playing against us. Since Dortmund are playing at home in this match, they will be fired up to save their pride. I think we need to get at least 1 goal to progress to the next stage.
Our current bad form is puzzling. We did well to beat Dortmund 3-0 at home in the first leg without Kane. But we are winless in 3 matches since Kane returned from injuries. Pochettino badly needs to find a solution for this. We will be in trouble if we played like our last 3 league matches. Can't see this match finishing in 0-0. So, can see us needing at least 1 goal to help us progress. Kane has scored 2 goals since he returned from injury problems. Let's hope Kane can score in this match. Apart from Kane, we also need our attacking players like Eriksen, Son, Lamela, Moura and Llorente to contribute as needed.
We need a big performance form our midfield. Our options seems limited in midfield with only Sissoko and Wnks fully fit while Wanyama and Dier struggling with injuries. Regardless of who start in midfield, we need to keep it tight and avoid giving away possession in midfield. Dortmund have players who can hurt us if they are free to do as they like in midfield. Hope we can control the midfield to stop them.
Our defence need to have a perfect match. Can see Dortmund putting pressure on our defence whole match. Don't want us to use the error-prone Sanchez or Foyth. We should only play our normal defence of Vertonghen and Alderweireld. We should avoid making silly mistakes and concentrate fully in defence. Don't want any of our defenders getting too ambitious by joining our attack too much. We need Lloris to concentrate fully whole match. We cannot get complacent as any small mistake can put us under undue pressure. Hope our defence will help us stop Dortmund.
Can see this being another tense match even with us leading 3-0. Dortmund will be fired up from the start. We should do all we can to stop them. At the same time, we need at least 1 goal to help us progress comfortably. Let's hope we will turn up with the right team and mentality to overcome Dortmund and progress to the CL quarter finals.