It was an immensely important win that Borussia Dortmund achieved by beating Newcastle United 2-0 on Tuesday evening, but it is not yet a big step towards the last 16. Because AC Milan’s win against Paris Saint-Germain two hours later means that although BVB top the Group F table, the situation remains tight and volatile.

” I already said after the Milan game: the group is wild. And it’s not over yet,” commented Julian Brandt in the aftermath of BVB’s victory against Newcastle and prior to AC Milan’s 2-1 triumph against Paris Saint-Germain. That statement is now even more relevant.

Borussia Dortmund might now top the Group F table with seven points but the picture could look entirely different in three weeks. If BVB were to lose the game in Milan, the Italians would have not only moved ahead on points (then eight) but won the head-to-head battle too. On the other hand, BVB would still have their fate in their own hands even if they suffered a defeat in Milan because there would then be a “final” against PSG on home turf on the final matchday. And if they were to win in Milan, second place would be mathematically secured.

Such a crazy, such an exciting and such an enchanting group has probably rarely or never been seen before in the UEFA Champions League. Every club can still progress, every club can still be completely eliminated from European competition this season and even miss out on the consolation of the UEFA Europa League (third place in the group).

“Things are looking good in the table at the moment,” said Salih Özcan after the final whistle on Tuesday, adding almost clairvoyantly: “But we have to keep on picking up points to progress to the round of 16.” Nico Schlotterbeck is embracing the task: “Now we’ll go to Milan and try to win there as well.” If they succeed, Borussia would not only be “almost certainly” through (Karim Adeyemi before the late game) but through for certain…
Boris Rupert

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