Being drawn against the European Champions isn’t usually cause for celebration but Dortmund’s manager and captain are looking forward to a ‘classic’.
Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel admits he is exhilarated by the prospect of a “classic” clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage.
An incredible four-goal performance by Robert Lewandowski (below) inspired the German giants to a famous 4-1 semi-final triumph over Jose Mourinho’s Real in 2013 and they will renew acquaintances again this season after being drawn together in Group A during Thursday’s draw in Monaco.
And Tuchel, managing in the Champions League for the first time in his career, is confident a match between the Bundesliga runners-up and the European Champions will produce an exhilarating encounter.
“Playing against Real is, for Dortmund, almost a classic,” Tuchel told the club’s official website. “We look forward to facing the defending champions.”
Despite an impressive 2-0 win at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund lost 3-2 on aggregate to Real en route to their tenth European title in 2014.
However, club captain Marcel Schmelzer is confident the prospect of a third meeting in the space of four seasons will not dampen expectations ahead of what will be a keenly anticipated encounter.
“Madrid is a beautiful draw, even though we have played them often,” the left-back also told the official Dortmund website. “We know them well.”
Dortmund have also been pitted against Portuguese runners-up Sporting Lisbon (below) and Legia Warsaw the first Polish side to reach the Champions League group stages for 20 years, as they return to the continent’s elite competition after spending last season consigned to the Europa League.
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