Sporting CP and Borussia Dortmund Reveal Their Champions League Starting XIs

If you ever needed proof that football is a game of chess as much as bursts of raw energy, just look at tonight's lineups. Borussia Dortmund and Sporting CP have both shown their hand ahead of a Champions League clash that promises sparks, risks, and plenty of goals. No last-minute major surprises, but plenty of intrigue for fans glued to the tactical battle.

For Borussia Dortmund, manager Edin Terzić has fallen back on a 4-2-3-1 system. Gregor Kobel keeps guard as the last line of defense, a commanding presence between the posts. Ahead of him, the defensive four sees Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson flanking Emre Can—Dortmund's captain who brings both steel and vision—and Nico Schlotterbeck. This back four is tasked with not just stopping Sporting’s dangerous wingers but also initiating crisp build-up play from the back.

The heart of Dortmund’s structure lies in midfield. Marcel Sabitzer sits alongside Pascal Groß in the double pivot, blending dynamism with craft and tactical awareness. The attacking trio right above them is why so many are tipping this for a high-scoring affair. Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi occupy the wings, both capable of slicing open any defense—they’re the wildcards to watch. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens supports just behind lone striker Serhou Guirassy. Bynoe-Gittens, still early in his Dortmund journey, is tasked with the job of threading passes and pulling defenders out of place for the hard-running Guirassy.

Sporting CP Go Bold With Attack-Minded Choices

Sporting CP are matching Dortmund shape for shape, trusting their own 4-2-3-1 but mixing in some less familiar faces that could be key. Rui Silva gets the nod as keeper, and his confidence with the ball might make Dortmund hesitant with their press. Ivan Fresneda as right-back and Matheus Reis left-back promise drive going forward, while Jerry St. Juste’s recovery pace and Ousmane Diomande’s aerial strength anchor the middle of Sporting's defense.

In Sporting’s midfield, João Simões and Zeno Debast are expected to keep things organized and ticking. They form a solid base, but it’s really on the flanks—where Francisco Trincão and Geovany Quenda start—that things might swing Sporting’s way. Trincão is a tricky customer, the kind who thrives in tight spaces and could easily drift inside to crack Dortmund’s lines. Up front, rather than a single striker, Sporting deploys Maximiliano Araújo and Conrad Harder in partnership, looking to keep Schlotterbeck and Can guessing and dragging them away from their comfort zones.

It’s not just about names on a teamsheet. The choices here tell a story of two ambitious teams. Brandt and Adeyemi—a pair who love to switch roles and stretch defenses—are obvious danger men for Dortmund. For the hosts, Trincão’s quick feet and Araújo’s ability to pounce on half-chances make them equally dangerous.

The tactical mirroring, with both teams set up in a 4-2-3-1, points to a real chess match in midfield but also gives both sets of wingers a license to rampage forward. Add in the creative freedom of someone like Bynoe-Gittens, and it’s no wonder odds-makers fancy over 2.5 goals as a smart bet tonight.

Whatever the result, expect a drama-filled 90 minutes. These lineups promise chances, creative sparks, and maybe a few twists you won’t see coming.