BVBDortmundClub page
AEKAEK AthensClub page
Squad value€587.9m
Squad value€86.5m
Key playerSehrou Guirassy
Key playerLuka Jović
Head coachNiko Kovac
Head coachMarko Nikolic
Live on Canal+ · France
Live on DAZN or Prime Video · Germany
Live on RTÉ, Premier Sports or Virgin Media · Ireland
Live on Sky Sport or Prime Video · Italy
Live on Ziggo Sport · Netherlands
Live on Movistar Plus+ · Spain
Live on TNT Sports or Prime Video · UK
Live on Paramount+, TUDN or DAZN · USA
Kovač himself says Dortmund have to play much faster and more precisely than they have been.
“Wir müssen sehr viel schneller und genauer spielen.”We have to play much faster and more precisely. our translation
Dortmund's front three jump on your centre-backs the moment they get the ball.
“Pressing Asfissiante: I trequartisti e il centravanti escono immediatamente in pressione forte sui centrali avversari in fase di prima costruzione, cercando di sporcare le traiettorie e forzare l’errore.”Suffocating pressing: the attacking midfielders and the centre-forward immediately press the opposing centre-backs hard as they start the build-up, trying to disrupt their passing and force mistakes. our translation
Get past their first wave of pressure and there is a huge amount of grass behind their defence.
“Se la prima pressione a ridosso dell’area avversaria salta, o se la mediana commette un errore di posizionamento, la difesa del Dortmund si trova esposta a transizioni rapide in campo aperto su ben 40 metri di campo scoperto alle proprie spalle.”If the first press near the opponents' box is beaten, or the midfield is out of position, Dortmund's defence is exposed to fast breaks across a good 40 metres of open pitch behind it. our translation
AEK like to keep the ball and build calmly from the back, through their Finnish midfielder Kairinen.
“Η χρήση που του κάνει μέχρι στιγμής ο Νίκολιτς καταμαρτυρεί εμπιστοσύνη: ο Φινλανδός λειτουργεί ως το πρώτο και πιο αξιόπιστο σκαλοπάτι του build up, ο παίκτης που δίνει στην ομάδα τη δυνατότητα να ανασαίνει στην κατοχή.”The way Nikolić has used him so far shows trust: the Finn works as the first and most reliable step of the build-up, the player who lets the team breathe in possession. our translation
Nikolić wants AEK pressing from the first minute to the last, and at home they keep coming at you.
“«Παίξαμε καταπληκτικά, ξεκινήσαμε δυναμικά, ήμασταν συνέχεια στην επίθεση, ασκήσαμε μεγάλη πίεση στον αντίπαλο, συνεχές πρέσινγκ, κάναμε πολλές φάσεις, βάλαμε το πρώτο γκολ, το δεύτερο, δεν σταματήσαμε να πιέζουμε και βάλαμε “φωτιά” στην υπέροχη ατμόσφαιρα που είχαν ήδη δημιουργήσει οι καταπληκτικοί φίλαθλοι της ΑΕΚ.”"We played brilliantly, we started with energy, we were attacking all the time, we put the opponent under great pressure, continuous pressing, we made lots of chances, we scored the first goal, the second, we never stopped pressing and we set fire to the wonderful atmosphere our fantastic fans had already created." our translation
Their midfield is picked for brains rather than legs — passers and thinkers, not runners.
“Η ΑΕΚ του Νίκολιτς δεν ποντάρει στα 6άρια για τα χαφ, αλλά στα 8άρια, αν όχι στα 8-10άρια. Δηλαδή, σε παίκτες «εγκεφαλικούς», που έχουν καλή τεχνική, τακτική και τοποθετήσεις.”Nikolic's AEK does not go for holding midfielders but for playmakers. That is, players who think, with good technique, tactical sense and positioning. our translation