Lothar Matthaus has given Rangers just a 10% chance of beating Borussia Dortmund after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side drew the Bundesliga giants in the Europa League play-off.
Writing in his column for Sky Germany, Matthaus noted that anything but a BVB win would be a surprise. The Gers will face the Westfalenstadion outfit over two legs in February, with the winner advancing to the last 16.
Rangers sealed their place in the draw for the knockout round after finishing Group A as runners-up to Lyon. Dortmund, meanwhile, drop down from the Champions League, after Marco Rose’s side finished third in their group behind Ajax and runners-up Sporting Lisbon.
The Ibrox outfit will travel to Germany for the first leg of their draw, before welcoming BVB to Glasgow. Rangers have met Borussia Dortmund on eight occasions previously, with three wins and four draws. Their only defeat came during their last meeting in 1999.
Matthaus issues honest verdict on Rangers vs Borussia Dortmund draw
Rangers’ only defeat to Borussia Dortmund in eight prior meetings came in Germany during the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup third-round. They have also won three of their four home games.
Yet despite a superior historic record, Rangers will stun Germany’s all-time most-capped player Matthaus if they eliminate Borussia Dortmund from the Europa League in February.
“BVB is very clear and big favourite against Glasgow Rangers,” Matthaus wrote. “This is an absolute top lot for Dortmund.
“If spectators are allowed, fans and players can enjoy a great atmosphere. From a sporting point of view, I see Dortmund’s advantage as 90:10. Anything but advancement would surprise me very much.”
Dortmund have struggled in Europe so far this season, but finished their Champions League group level on points with Sporting. BVB dropped into the Europa League after losing 3-1 in Portugal, however, having only won the reverse meeting 1-0.
Rose’s side also lost 4-0 and 3-1 to Ajax, while Rangers’ biggest defeat came in a 2-0 loss to Lyon. The Gers later drew 1-1 with the Ligue 1 side to finish a point above Sparta Prague.
Even still, Matthaus only gives Rangers a 10% chance of beating Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League play-off, in what is an honest but brutal verdict from the Germany legend.
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