Everything on... Borussia Dortmund

We welcome Borussia Dortmund to Wembley tonight for the first leg of our Champions League round of 16 tie (8pm).

We have faced the Bundesliga side in two two-legged ties over the last three seasons, but this will be the first time we have played against them in the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition.

Here’s all you need to know about our German opponents…

Team news

Dortmund manager Lucien Favre will be without several key players for the first leg tonight with club captain Marco Reus (torn muscle fibres), midfielder Julian Weigl (flu), striker Paco Alcacer (shoulder inflammation) and veteran defender Lukas Piszczek (foot) all missing their trip to London.

One to watch

Winger Jadon Sancho has been a revelation for the Bundesliga side so far this season, having been directly involved in 20 goals in just 21 league appearances.

At the age of just 17, Sancho made the decision to move to Germany from Manchester City and has thrived on the continent ever since. Making his league debut for Die Schwarzgelben against Eintracht Frankfurt in October, 2017, he went on to make 12 appearances in his debut season as well as scoring his first senior goal - the opener in a 4-0 home victory over Bayer Leverkusen where he also assisted two of the other goals.

This season, his stature in Germany has continued to rise as he has become a key part of Favre’s table-topping side, being involved in all but two of their 30 games so far.

His form saw him go on to make his international debut for England in a UEFA Nations League tie with Croatia in October, 2018.

Last four meetings

21 November, 2017 – Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Spurs – UEFA Champions League, group stage
13 September, 2017 – Spurs 3-1 Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League, group stage
17 March, 2016 – Spurs 1-2 Borussia Dortmund – UEFA Europa League, round of 16, second leg
10 March, 2016 – Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Spurs – UEFA Europa League, round of 16, first leg

Previous clash

We had already secured our progression to the last 16 of the Champions League in the 2017/18 season having won three and drawn one of our first four games of the group stage but we knew with victory in Dortmund on matchday five, we could put ourselves in a great position to win the group.

In the opening exchanges at Signal Iduna Park, we had started strongly but it would be the home side who would take the lead through Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The goal would not dampen our spirits in Germany, however, as just minutes into the second half we would find our leveller through a fine strike from Harry Kane.

Then, with just over 10 minutes still to play, we would secure the winner as Heung-Min Son curled in from just inside the box after good build-up play from Dele Alli.

Borussia Dortmund’s form

With just three defeats in all competitions so far this season, Favre’s side have certainly been flying.

Remaining undefeated for their first 15 league games, Dortmund have dominated in the German top flight this campaign while they also secured top spot in their Champions League group in December, finishing above Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid on goal difference.

Coming into our clash at Wembley, however, Dortmund are without a win in three as after a 5-1 second-half steamrollering of Hannover 96, they have drawn twice in the league as well as suffering a third round German Cup exit on penalties to Werder Bremen.

Last time out, Favre’s team surrendered a 3-0 lead with just over 15 minutes to go against Hoffenheim to draw the game 3-3.

Played for both

South African winger Steven Pienaar spent a year at Borussia Dortmund in 2006 before later signing for us in 2011.

Starting his career in his homeland at Ajax Cape Town, Pienaar would be brought to their Dutch parent club Ajax in 2001 to start a 16-year stint in Europe.

After impressing in Amsterdam, the South African international would move to Dortmund in January, 2006, but would last just six months in Germany before signing for Everton, where he would enjoy the best years of his career, playing over 200 games for the Merseyside club, either side of a one-year hiatus with us. At White Hart Lane, Pienaar made 18 appearances for us and scored one goal – that came in our 4-0 Europa League win over Shamrock Rovers in December, 2011.

He ended his time at Goodison Park in 2016 and moved on to Sunderland to join former boss David Moyes in the north-east before finishing his career back in South Africa at Bidvest Wits the following year.

What they’re saying

Dortmund boss Favre spoke to the media on Tuesday evening.

"We need to forget about the game against Hoffenheim (Dortmund wasted a 3-0 lead to draw). We have to keep the positives in mind ahead of a match like this,” he explained.

“They're third in England, which tells you all you need to know. It'll be tough. We're concentrating on this game and then on the Bundesliga.

“Tottenham are without Kane and Alli - we're missing players too. We're not going to talk about the players who aren't here.”