Dortmund vs. Galatasaray: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape the Game

After a dramatic weekend in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund must now turn their attention to their next challenge as Group D of the Champions League comes racing over the horizon once again. 

Jurgen Klopp's side once again face Turkish opponents Galatasaray in a mirror fixture to the 4-0 drubbing they unleashed upon the Istanbul side last month. 

Such a result will of course be no surprise to Cesare Prandelli, who has seen his team pick up just one point in the Champions League this season. Three games remain for his side to salvage something from their European campaign, starting with a tough trip to the Westfalenstadion. 

The Loss of Mats Hummels

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As confirmed on the club's website on Sunday, Dortmund will be without central defender and club captain Mats Hummels for the next three weeks, following an injury he picked up against Bayern Munich at the weekend. 

With a sprain to his right foot, the German international now leaves Klopp with a decision to make as to how best to reshuffle his back-line. 

Both Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Neven Subotic have been performing well this season, yet the latter does look notably more comfortable in defence when played alongside his long-term defensive partner, Hummels. 

Dortmund have managed to keep a clean sheet throughout their European campaign thus far, yet we wait to see if such a record can continue without one of their star players. 

Klopp Must Keep the Momentum Going

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Although Dortmund have failed to pick up any points in league meetings since a 2-2 draw with Stuttgart in September, Klopp's side have put in a great deal of hard work and shown a change in character throughout their last two games. 

The first, a 3-0 win over St Pauli in the DFB Pokal, offered welcome respite to the recent string of poor results on German soil, before a hearty performance against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga pleasantly surprised the Westfalenstadion faithful.

Dortmund may still be in the same domestic pickle they were in last month, but they are now playing like a much better team. 

As such, another strong performance in the Champions League this week would surely go a long way to keeping morale high and confirming that this recent change in fortune isn't simply a blip in a larger, long-term problem. 

Galatasaray Usually Enjoy Their Trips to Germany

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Although this Turkish side have looked notably uncomfortable with the quality of opposition in their group this season, none more so than their last match against Dortmund, Galatasaray do in fact have a notably impressive record on German soil. 

In all competitions, the Istanbul side have won five, lost five and drawn three; a perfectly balanced record that suggests tough away matches don't seem to phase them. 

Although they have lost their last four away matches in Europe, Galatasaray will travel to Dortmund on Tuesday with little more than their own imposed pressure to deal with. 

Early Qualification Could Boost Dortmund's Turnaround

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Although it would seem odd to consider Dortmund taking anything for granted in this troubled start to the season, the Black and Yellows can now realistically qualify for the next round of the Champions League with a win on Tuesday night. They can then put Europe on the back burner until after the new year. 

Although the win wouldn't confirm top spot in the group, it would go a long way to putting off the pressure and expectation that has surrounded the club throughout this campaign.

If Klopp's side have the opportunity to tick the European box and turn their attention back to the Bundesliga two games ahead of schedule, they certainly have to take it. 

Galatasaray in Need of Points and Retribution

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Dortmund will, of course, have to be wary of a Galatasaray side that have seen their European campaign fall to pieces from the very beginning this season. 

Pipped as contenders to steal the second qualification spot for the last 16, the Turkish side have since only managed to pick up one point from their first three games and now risk finishing bottom of the group. 

They now travel to Germany in what is, on paper, the hardest fixture they were likely to come up against in this group, yet they are now desperately in need of a point—or, indeed, all three. 

Like a cornered animal, Klopp's side will have to be wary of their Turkish opponents lashing out and causing quite the upset. They're desperate for a result and could just cause one.