UEFA Champions League 2018-19, Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid: Combined XI

Striker: Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann must start firing again

Having led France to the World Cup glory in the summer, Griezmann has returned languid and out of sorts. He has scored only twice in the league so far, but bagged a brace against Club Brugge in the last Champions League game. However, those are the only pair of strikes he's mustered in the last nine games in all competitions!

Los Rojiblancos would plausibly be worried about this ahead of a tough fixture, especially given Diego Costa is only returning from an injury. But you never know when the Frenchman might pop up with a goal or two. Plus, he's the man for the big occasions as time and again, he has produced the goods for his team whenever circumstances demanded. Write him off at your own peril.

Striker: Paco Alcacer

Alcacer has bolstered Dortmund's attack to the hilt

There's a similarly apprehensive atmosphere engulfing the Signal Iduna Park as in-form striker Alcacer is doubtful after being taken off at half-time on Saturday. The Spaniard is a man reborn this season, scoring 7 times in just 4 league appearances. But what makes it all the more impressive is that he started only one of those four games!

This barnstorming run includes an amazing treble against Augsburg in a 4-3 thriller, whilst also netting against Monaco in the Champions League on matchday two. If he's deemed fit enough to even make it to the bench for this clash, then there's real hope for the hosts; for Alcacer would be nothing like what Atletico have faced so far this season.