Champions League preview: Klopp’s dreams about European success

The reigning German champions are considered favorites in their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. A 2-2 draw that was earned in Ukraine in the first leg certainly proves that, yet the Ruhr giants are under huge pressure of progressing further in order to keep their season alive.

The German side stands second in Bundesliga legging behind Bayern with a 17-points gap with the only hope of improving their season by progressing as far as possible in the top European tournament.

The mission may be possible as the Germans showed impressive display during the group stage winning all home games and picking up excellent draws in Manchester and Madrid. Dortmund finished atop of the group but most importantly showed that it had already learned how to marshal energy and strength more effectively in Europe.

Polish international Robert Lewandowski is in his best form for Dortmund scoring four times in the Champions League fixtures. The striker is accompanied by Marco Reus and Mario Gotze which make the club’s offensive line one of the best in the League. The unbelievable speed and effective counter-attacking that became characteristic for the team can help the Germans earn positive result.

Shakhtar is not the club that should be underestimated. The Ukrainian side netted 22 goals in their last 11 away games in the Champions League. The Miners impressed in the group stages edging reigning champions Chelsea and securing a second place in Group E behind Juventus .

With several Brazilians in the squad - Ilsinho Luiz, Adriano and Douglas Costa just to mention a few - and top class defenders Darijo Srna and Razvan Rat, Shakhtar have the power to challenge the Germans.

Yet in Dortmund the Ukranian club should open the score first and that means committing men forward which can be used by Borussia that can easily change the course of the fixture and perhaps of the season.