{"id":1425060,"date":"2026-01-19T12:47:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T12:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1425060"},"modified":"2026-01-19T12:47:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T12:47:45","slug":"tactical-analysis-bvb-key-players-vs-spurs","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-bvb-key-players-vs-spurs\/","title":{"rendered":"Borussia Dortmund analysis: Key players who can expose Tottenham in crucial Champions League clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tottenham welcome Borussia Dortmund in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/champions-league-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Champions League<\/a> on Tuesday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It should be cause for optimism for the north London side. Spurs occupy a playoff spot in the league phase and sit just two points off the top eight. Yet, the game against the German side could prove the final nail in the coffin of Thomas Frank\u2019s ill-fated spell in charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spurs are facing mounting calls to relieve Frank of his duties. Saturday\u2019s late 2-1 loss to rivals West Ham was the straw that broke the camel\u2019s back for everyone <em>bar<\/em> the club\u2019s decision makers. Frank has at least done one thing. He\u2019s united a fanbase that was split on whether Ange Postecoglou\u2019s sacking last summer was the right move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll analyse the following players:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-defence-nico-schlotterbeck\" data-level=\"3\">Defence \u2013 Nico Schlotterbeck<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-midfield-felix-nmecha\" data-level=\"3\">Midfield \u2013 Felix Nmecha<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-attack-karim-adeyemi\" data-level=\"3\">Attack \u2013 Karim Adeyemi<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-attack-serhou-guirassy\" data-level=\"3\">Attack \u2013 Serhou Guirassy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Tuesday\u2019s game against Dortmund could get ugly both on and off the pitch. Supporters aren\u2019t happy and options are limited for Frank. Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus take up spots in the physio room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma and new signing Conor Gallagher aren\u2019t registered. Micky van de Ven is suspended. Pape Sarr was part of the Senegal squad that went the distance at AFCON. Conversely, Dortmund are effectively at full-strength. The German side have lost just three competitive games this season. If Spurs fans want a modicum of hope, two of these defeats came from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even so, Dortmund should have enough to beat this beleaguered Spurs side. Ahead of the game, we\u2019ve picked out their key men who\u2019ll be vital as the German giants seek a huge three points<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-defence-nico-schlotterbeck\">Defence \u2013 Nico Schlotterbeck<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Borussia Dortmund have their European defensive issues. They have conceded 13 Champions League goals this season but head coach Niko Kovac is able to call upon one of Europe\u2019s best centre-backs in Nico Schlotterbeck. The German, who has been linked with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, is a ball-playing beast from the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of the 351 players to have started at least four Champions League games, Schlotterbeck\u2019s 92.3% pass accuracy ranks 33rd in the competition. While the 26-year-old is an effective operator off the ball, it\u2019s his distribution that\u2019ll be key against this pragmatic Spurs side. If given the time and space to play the line-breaking passes, then the north London outfit will be in for a rough 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-midfield-felix-nmecha\">Midfield \u2013 Felix Nmecha<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of those who\u2019ll benefit from Schlotterbeck\u2019s distribution is midfielder Felix Nmecha. The 25-year-old has been a handy goal threat from deep for Dortmund this season, scoring three times in the Champions League. In addition, Nmecha has created 10 chances, more than any other Dortmund player. His teammates\u2019 profligacy is the reason he doesn\u2019t have an assist to his name.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1425062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026-32x40.jpg 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124102\/NmechaChancesUCL_19012026.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given Spurs\u2019 midfield issues, Nmecha is one who really stands to benefit from the Premier League side\u2019s ongoing absentee problems. The powerhouse German is incredibly difficult to shake off the ball. This press resistance will enable Nmecha to push forward with ease as Dortmund seek to peg Spurs back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-attack-karim-adeyemi\">Attack \u2013 Karim Adeyemi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having been linked with a January move to Spurs, Karim Adeyemi may just give the north London giants the runaround in the capital this week. Injuries haven\u2019t aided the 24-year-old in Dortmund. And yet, he\u2019s a handy attacking option to head coach Kovac in his favoured 3-4-2-1 setup.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1425063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026-32x40.jpg 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124120\/AdeyemiUCL_19012026.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adeyemi has the freedom to drive forward to punch a hole in opposition backlines from the right. Indeed, he\u2019s completed more take ons (11) than any other Dortmund player in the 2025-26 Champions League season. With two goals and two assists to his name, Adeyemi has the means to slalom through Spurs side and put the defence to the sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-attack-serhou-guirassy\">Attack \u2013 Serhou Guirassy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The focal point to this Borussia Dortmund attack. Serhou Guirassy has been their star forward in their push to progress to the next round of the Champions League. The 29-year-old has three goals and two assists to his name in the competition this season. Unsurprisingly, he ranks top for shots (11) of all Dortmund players this term.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1425064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026-32x40.jpg 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/19124138\/GuirassyShotUCL_19012026.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, he\u2019s a dominant frontman. The physical side to his game means Dortmund are able to go direct if needs must. Just as he is top for shots for the German side, Guirassy has also won more aerial duels (11) than any other player under Kovac. Given this Spurs side are hapless at defending attacks from the flanks, getting the ball wide for the wing-backs to put crosses into the box for Guirassy is another route to goal for the Bundesliga outfit.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football 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size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Man City vs Bournemouth stats and analysis: Cherki changes the game to save Maresca blushes\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-man-city-vs-bournemouth-23-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Man City vs Bournemouth stats and analysis: Cherki changes the game to spare Maresca blushes                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a 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handed Sky Blues &#8216;welcome to the Premier League&#8217; moment                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tottenham welcome Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night. It should be cause for optimism for the north London side. Spurs occupy a playoff spot in the league phase and sit just two points off the top eight. Yet, the game against the German side could prove the final nail in the coffin&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1425061,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Borussia Dortmund analysis ahead of Spurs clash, highlighting key players Schlotterbeck, Nmecha, Adeyemi and Guirassy who can punish Tottenham.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1425060","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Borussia Dortmund analysis: Key players who can expose Tottenham in crucial Champions League clash | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Borussia Dortmund analysis ahead of Spurs clash, highlighting key players Schlotterbeck, Nmecha, Adeyemi and Guirassy who can punish Tottenham.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-bvb-key-players-vs-spurs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Borussia Dortmund analysis: Key players who can expose Tottenham in crucial Champions League clash\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Borussia Dortmund analysis ahead of Spurs clash, highlighting key players Schlotterbeck, Nmecha, Adeyemi and Guirassy who can punish Tottenham.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-bvb-key-players-vs-spurs\/\" \/>\n<meta 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