Feature: Fallen angels like Dortmund can be dangerous

Top of Italy's Serie A, 51 goals in 24 games, the last home defeat feels like it happened way back in ancient history (2-0 against Bayern Munich in March 2013).

Italy's top club Juventus Turin has a lot going for it when the side in black and with striped shirts faces Germany's fallen angel Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of the last 16 in Turin this Tuesday evening.

However, Juve has to be careful. 2013 finalists Borussia Dortmund is on its way back to old strengths after three wins in succession in the Bundesliga.

To overcome the crisis the club found itself in as Borussia languished a long time in the Bundesliga's drop zone, Dortmund's coach Juergen Klopp pressed the re-set button.

The 47-year-old coach firstly omitted most of the players that are new to the club like Ciro Immobile, Sergio Ramos, Hendrik Mkhitaryan and Matthias Ginter. He is also now pleased with the way Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is fitting into his new attacking role.

Star striker Marco Reus, who was according to many rumors was high on the list of several top European top clubs a few weeks ago, has signed a new contract in Dortmund until 2019.

The knowledge that Reus will be staying at the club has given the side a welcome emotional boost. Midfielder Ilkay Guendogan is expected to follow Reus' example. On top of everything midfielder Shinji Kagawa is on his way back to top form.

Reus' signature is seen as a signal in Dortmund that the club will not lose its place amongst Europe's elite. They now actually appear to be clawing their way back to the top again.

"We're not favorites," pretended Klopp but others like the former Juve professional Juergen Kohler see things differently.

"Juve is far from world class. Their game is solid but nothing spectacular. Dortmund has a good chance of advancing to the next round," the former defender predicts.

"Serie A is basically in a state of radical change as the infrastructure is in need of a revamp and the clubs have to survive economical turbulences," said Kohler. He expects a tough game on Tuesday with both sides battling for midfield superiority. "It's far from a piece of cake for both teams."

Meanwhile Reus and Aubameyang are combining better and better and are seen as the club's lifesavers in the choppy seas of recent times. No doubt, Dortmund would be happy with a draw but will surely grab any chance they have of returning to Germany with a win to then face a fierce derby in the Bundesliga next Saturday against their oldest rivals FC Schalke 04.

"The Bundesliga is a must, the Champions League is a we can," said BVB coach Klopp who guided the club to the quarterfinal in the last two years as Dortmund won the duels against Shakhtar Donetsk (2013 2-2/3-0) and Zenit St. Petersburg (2014 4-2/1-2).

Reus and Aubameyang will be in the starting line-up, others will get a break to recover. Meaning, Klopp does not intend taking too many risks as he is pinning his hopes on the second leg game in Dortmund with the crowd of 80 000 behind them.

"We have had some good games in the Champions League and therefore good memories. That helps when facing an opponent like Juve. We know what to do," said midfielder Guendogan.

"That Borussia Dortmund beat Juve 3-1 in the 1997 final in Munich is of no relevance. We have to play them in 2015. It may help a little that most people see us as the underdogs. Maybe we are when you look at the latest results in the respective domestic leagues," said Guendogan.

So far Borussia Dortmund's record against Juventus does not look positive. Of the seven games played until now, the Germans have lost four, won only two (one draw 2-2) which includes the 3-1 win in the 1997 Champions League final. It was the last duel between the two clubs. Endite