1. Do Dortmund have any chance?
As Real Madrid lead 3-0 from the first leg, Dortmund ultimately advancing in this tie would surely represent the biggest shock in Champions League history.
That said, they did beat Madrid 4-1 at Signal Iduna Park last season.
In addition, teams recovering three-goal deficits in the Champions League is not unheard of — Deportivo famously beat Milan 4-0 in 2004, having been written off after losing the first leg 4-1.
So perhaps Jurgen Klopp was right to be upset at journalists dismissing his team’s chances after the first leg, though with Madrid currently in considerably better form than their opponents, it will take something particularly special for the Germans to prevail.
2. How badly will PSG miss Ibrahimovich?
With 25 goals this season, there is no doubting that Zlatan Ibrahimovich is PSG’s main man, whom they invariably rely upon for inspiration, as Barca do with Messi and Liverpool do with Suarez.
While the Swede was largely ineffectual in the first leg against Chelsea, at his best, he can win games almost single-handedly and so, PSG will surely be slightly less confident without their star player.
Yet the striker’s absence could pave the way for others to flourish — PSG’s depth of talent was emphasised in the first leg, when Javier Pastore, the somewhat out-of-favour Argentinian deemed not good enough to start, came off the bench to score a wonder goal.
Moreover, Ibra’s injury also means Edinson Cavani is likely to play in his favoured role as a central striker, where he flourished with Napoli. The Urguayan has continually stated a preference for this position, despite claiming 15 goals this season mainly from being deployed in the wider attacking role in the club’s 4-3-3 formation.
3. Will Ronaldo be fit to play?
If there is one positive going into tonight’s game for Dortmund, it’s the expected absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar completed just 20 minutes of training yesterday, before withdrawing, suggesting he is unlikely to be risked, with Real already having one foot in the semi-final.
“Cristiano always wants to play and I want him to play, but he is a professional and knows when he can’t,” said Carlo Ancelotti yesterday, who added that he would delay a decision on whether Ronaldo features or not.
Dortmund’s chances are slim either way, but seeing a teamsheet without the Portuguese star’s name on it ahead of the game would certainly give them a much-needed lift prior to kick-off.
4. Can PSG cope at fortress Stamford Bridge?
While PSG have the 3-1 advantage going into this game, the Stamford Bridge factor should not be underestimated.
The Londoners have never lost there in the league under Mourinho, rendering the oft-used football cliché ‘a tough place to go’ for once genuinely applicable.
If PSG are in any doubt as to the size of the task which they face, they need only watch the video of Chelsea’s recent 6-0 mauling of Arsenal, or indeed their Champions League comeback against Napoli in a similar scenario two years ago — a game which both Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi played in.
Ultimately therefore, the French side will have to be at their sharpest to combat Chelsea’s intense pressing and often potent counter-attack, though they may take a leaf out of Crystal Palace and Aston Villa’s book, and adopt a decidedly pragmatic approach, given that the Londoners have at times struggled to break defence-oriented teams down during this campaign.
5. Will Mourinho’s behaviour negatively impact upon his players?
All season, Jose Mourinho has been playing down his side’s title chances.
While the argument in his defence is that Mourinho is taking the pressure off his players by belittling their overall ability, his words seem almost patronising at times.
As Chelsea’s results have gotten worse lately, the Portuguese coach has taken rare step of sparing officials and instead directing some scathing remarks towards his players.
At various points in recent weeks, Mourinho has accused his side both of lacking “balls” and only performing in the big games.
Should the spirit that they are renowned for showing on these big European nights at Stamford Bridge suddenly desert them this evening, fingers will undoubtedly be pointed at the Special One.
