Manchester City has disappointed at the UEFA Champions League for the second straight year.
The team failed to make it out of the group stage for the second straight year after going winless in their first five matches and their only hopes are of obtaining the third seed and a berth at the Europa League. However, coach Roberto Mancini played his main starters in the Premier League match on Saturday for the third time in seven days, meaning that he may choose to give them some rest Tuesday in preparation for their next Premiere league match this weekend. The Europa League is probably of little significance to the coach whose only hope of retaining his job past this seaon is another EPL title. The team started the UCL off with a tough 3-2 loss to Real Madrid, but a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund suggested a possible comeback for the team. A 3-1 unraveling at Ajax Amsterdam essentially put their round of 16 hopes on hold and the subsequent 2-2 draw only hurt their chances all the more. They obtained another draw against Real Madrid at home to end their run at home in the UCL with no losses and three ties. However all of their losses have been on the road and if this team wants to make the Europa League they must beat Borussia Dortmund in Germany and hope for an Ajax loss or draw.
Borussia Dortmund will likely look for a draw at home as one point would clinch the top spot in Group D. They got their tournament off to a quiet start with a 1-0 win over Ajax. Then they blew a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with Manchester City. However, the team made its presence known in a tremendous 2-1 win over Real Madrid. In the following match they drew 2-2 with Madrid, but had a clear handle on the group at the point. In their following match they delivered an astounding 4-1 win in Amsterdam to solidify the top spot in Group D.
Prediction: It will be a rather tame match with neither side particularly aggressive. 0-0 draw or maybe a 1-0 win for Dortmund.
Start Time: 2:45 PM EST