Galatasaray vs Borussia Dortmund preview - Subotic seeking morale boost

Posted Wednesday, October 22, 2014 by PA

Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic admits his side are desperate for a confidence boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray in Istanbul.

The Germans have taken maximum points from their opening two Group D games against Arsenal and Anderlecht to top the pool, but their form in the Bundesliga has given serious cause for concern.

Three straight defeats in the league, and one point from a possible 15, have left Jurgen Klopp's men in 14th place in the table, already 13 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

The last two losses were against Hamburg and Cologne, hardly sides expected to be challenging at the top end of the table.

"We are hopeful," Subotic told the club website ahead of the meeting with Gala. "We can boost our self-belief with a win.

"In the phase that we find ourselves in at the moment, to get a positive result once again would be hugely important."

Asked for the reasons behind the contast between Dortmund's European and domestic form, the Serbian said: "It is hard to explain. We have played well in the Champions League, but we have not been much worse in the Bundesliga.

"The difference there is that our opponents have clinically capitalised on mistakes."

Subotic added: "At this level in professional football there are always small details that decide a game."

His central defensive partner Mats Hummels said on kicker.de that Dortmund recognised their problems and knew what they had to do to improve.

"Showing that is the trick," he added.

Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has demanded a reaction from the visitors.

"I expect a lot from the team," he said. "In particular that they are focused and committed, even if they are really hurting. In recent weeks we have conceded too many goals and too easily."

Opponents Gala have taken just one point from their first two group games, while they were also hit with a 50,000 euros fine for setting off fireworks and missiles during their 4-1 loss at Arsenal on October 1.

They have won their last three in the Super Lig, though.

Dortmund will be without injured left-back Erik Durm, so Kevin Grosskreutz is likely to deputise.