One of the standout matchups in the Champions League playoff round unfolds in Lisbon this week, where Sporting CP goes head-to-head with Borussia Dortmund.
Nolan James Feb 10
Sporting CP’s Journey to the Playoff Round
Sporting CP concluded the Champions League group stage in 23rd place, collecting 11 points from eight matches. Their campaign has been anything but smooth, yet they managed to secure a playoff spot despite facing significant instability. The Portuguese side started strong, amassing seven points from their opening four games, but things unraveled after head coach Rúben Amorim departed for Manchester United.
João Pereira took charge but lasted just six weeks before being dismissed due to poor results. Stability has since returned under Rui Borges, who has revitalized the team. Sporting currently leads the Primeira Liga, holding a four-point gap over second-placed Benfica. Under Borges, they have lost just once—excluding penalty shootouts—a 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig. Notably, they have also secured key victories over domestic rivals Benfica and Porto.
Historically, Sporting has struggled to progress in the Champions League, advancing beyond the last 16 only once, in the 1982-83 season. With multiple group-stage exits in recent years, making the knockout rounds this season would already be considered a success. Facing a struggling Borussia Dortmund presents a golden opportunity to break new ground.
Borussia Dortmund’s Struggles and Playoff Hopes
Dortmund finished 10th in the group stage with 15 points from eight matches—an impressive tally compared to their league form. Their European campaign has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season. However, their path was made easier by relatively favorable fixtures, and they failed to win against the strongest teams they faced.
Much like Sporting, Dortmund have endured managerial instability. A string of poor performances led to Nuri Şahin’s dismissal after only a few months at the helm. Now languishing in 11th place in the Bundesliga, they are on track for one of their worst league finishes in recent years. To steady the ship, former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovač has been brought in to turn things around.
Despite their struggles, Dortmund boasts a talented squad, among the best in the Bundesliga. There is a clear expectation for Kovač to elevate the team’s performances, even if a league turnaround remains unlikely. A playoff matchup against Sporting is manageable, but significant improvements will be necessary for the German side to progress.
Recent Form: Sporting CP
Sporting enters this match in mixed form, with two wins, two draws, and one defeat in their last five outings. Their most recent fixture saw them draw 1-1 with Porto, where Iván Fresneda’s opener was canceled out in stoppage time. The match ended in chaos, with both Matheus Reis and Ousmane Diomande receiving red cards.
Prior to that, they secured a 3-1 victory over Farense, with goals from Fresneda, Diomande, and Conrad Harder. They also recorded a 1-1 draw against Bologna, where Harder found the net, and a 2-0 triumph over Nacional, courtesy of Trincão and João Simões. Their only recent defeat came against RB Leipzig in a 2-1 Champions League loss.
Recent Form: Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s form has been inconsistent, with two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five matches. Over the weekend, they fell 2-1 to Stuttgart. Before that, they edged past Heidenheim 2-1, thanks to goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier, and defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1, with Guirassy netting twice and Ramy Bensebaini adding another.
A 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen saw Guirassy continue his scoring streak, but that result followed a 2-1 defeat to Bologna, highlighting Dortmund’s ongoing defensive vulnerabilities.
Prediction: A High-Scoring Encounter on the Cards
This matchup is difficult to call, but one thing seems certain—goals. Four of both teams’ last five Champions League fixtures have featured over 2.5 goals, suggesting an open contest.
Sporting has the better recent form, though Kovač’s recent arrival could inject new energy into Dortmund. The German side still possesses a talent advantage on paper, and Sporting struggled against Bundesliga opposition earlier in the competition. Given the circumstances, a high-scoring draw appears to be the most likely outcome.
