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The UEFA Champions League actions return as Borussia Dortmund hosts Sevilla and Juventus takes on Porto for his or her spherical of 16 second-leg matches Tuesday.
The primary leg between Juventus and Porto ended in a 1-2 defeat for the Italian champion.
The Portuguese papers had been euphoric within the wake of the win over Juventus, however coach Sergio Conceicao was extra measured: “It wasn’t good as a result of we conceded,” reported the UEFA’s official web site.
The Dragons may need made it 3-0 at one level, however as an alternative, a one-goal lead appears to be like slender as they head to Turin to face Cristiano Ronaldo, who is aware of that – if his aspect will get by means of this tie – he can equal Iker Casillas’s report of 177 UEFA Champions League appearances within the quarterfinals. Fail, and the 36-year-old must wait till the autumn for his subsequent likelihood.
Juve’s Alvaro Morata can also be discovering his finest kind on the proper time. Morata had not scored within the league since December and was sidelined lately with sickness however the Juventus ahead has scored thrice in his final two matches – together with in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Lazio. Morata has scored six objectives on this season’s Champions League, two greater than teammate Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was given some much-needed relaxation on the weekend and went on just for the ultimate 20 minutes, which ought to depart him recent for Tuesday’s match towards Porto.
Juventus has been coping with sickness and accidents. Coach Andrea Pirlo hopes Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt will get better in time to play Porto. Ahead Paulo Dybala remains to be sidelined, whereas Rodrigo Bentancur can also be out after contracting the coronavirus. Porto additionally has some damage issues, together with defender Pepe with a proper leg ailment.
Sevilla out to tame Haaland
Sevilla shall be trying to comprise an in-form Erling Haaland, who scored twice in Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 win within the first leg.
The Spanish press gave Haaland his due after his superlative efficiency. Sports activities each day, Marca wrote “Hammer Haaland,” whereas its match report began with the phrases: “A monster referred to as.”
Dortmund’s beastly striker tops the competitors rankings this season with eight objectives, and the German papers are operating out of how to reward him, Bild writing that he’s “in a Champions League of his personal.”
Nonetheless, Borussia Dortmund’s 4-2 loss to Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich on the weekend might depart its mark for the go to from Sevilla.
Haaland was taken off early with stud marks on the again of his proper ankle after a nasty problem from Jerome Boateng. Though Haaland informed Dortmund coach Edin Terzić “it wouldn’t be a giant drawback.”
The loss in Munich marked the top of Dortmund’s four-game successful run throughout all competitions. The staff was with out Jadon Sancho, Raphael Guerreiro and Gio Reyna. All three face a race to be match for Tuesday.
Sevilla, however, has been struggling because the first-leg loss to Dortmund, shedding three of its 4 matches since then.
It’s coming off a loss to relegation-threatened Elche within the Spanish league and was eradicated by Barcelona within the semifinals of the Copa del Rey regardless of a 2-0 first-leg win.
Julen Lopetegui’s aspect, nonetheless, doesn’t shrink back from a scrap. An early objective might shake issues up.
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