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Tottenham vs. Borussia Dortmund: 5 key match-ups

By Rucker Haringey

OPORTO, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 25: Dortmund's forward Aubameyang celebrates scoring Dortmund goal during the Champions League match between FC Porto and Borussia Dortmund for UEFA Europa League Round of 32: Second Leg at Estadio do Dragao on February, 2016 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
OPORTO, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 25: Dortmund's forward Aubameyang celebrates scoring Dortmund goal during the Champions League match between FC Porto and Borussia Dortmund for UEFA Europa League Round of 32: Second Leg at Estadio do Dragao on February, 2016 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road on December 28, 2015 in Watford, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road on December 28, 2015 in Watford, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

3. Erik Lamela vs. Shinji Kagawa

The match-up between the Argentine attacker and the Japanese midfielder should be one of the tie’s most competitive. If either Erik Lamela or Shinji Kagawa can provide their team a significant advantage over the other, it will put their side in great shape to advance to the Europa League’s final eight.

The two midfielders are quite the contrast of styles. Lamela relies on effort with moments of occasional brilliance, while Kagawa prefers to play in a much more controlled, steady manner. Lamela is also much more likely to contribute in defense than the former United star.

Kagawa’s general disdain for tracking back should be a real concern for Dortmund. He’s going to need to put in a solid-shift as a two-way player to combat whatever Spurs attacker is lined up opposite him at a given point in time. If he switches off and hopes that his back four can make up for his mistakes, it could lead to a disastrous score line from the Bundesliga club’s point of view.

Of course, if Dortmund is able to win the possession battle, Kagawa could be a nightmare for Tottenham’s defenders. I could easily see him frustrating Lamela with his steady play and goading him into silly challenges. It’s not as if Lamela has been afraid to put in a risky challenge this season. The wrong challenge at the wrong time against the Japanese star could mean the end of Tottenham’s Europa League run.

Next: 2. Ilkay Gundogan vs. Dele Alli

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