Out of the country’s domestic cup, out of the title race, but still the Champions League to play for. It sounds a lot like Arsenal and their trials and tribulations, regardless of the mountainous task awaiting them in Munich next week.
However, this is very much the case regarding Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga outfit are currently languishing 17 points behind Bayern Munich in the race to defend their title, a race which will be over if the current league pace setters win their next five games.
Having been knocked out of the DFB Pokal by Bayern, it leaves just the Champions League as the last path to trophy glory this season and an opportunity which Dortmund looked to grasp with both hands following their 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, progressing to the quarter finals of the competition 5-2 on aggregate.
Dubbed dark horses before the Champions League campaign began, Dortmund continue to win over the plaudits with their impressive performances, both in Germany and away from home. Boasting the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, to name three, the quality is certainly there for Jurgen Klopp’s side to make their way to Wembley this year.
Whoever Dortmund come up against at the next stage of the competition will certainly be given a run for their money and having secured top spot in Group D – the Group of Champions – there is no reason why Die Schwarzgelben can go all the way and secure their first Champions League trophy since 1997.