24 February 2015
After Juventus.com once again asked supporters to pick their three key Borussia Dortmund men ahead of this evening’s game, plenty of different responses came flooding in to the club's international Twitter account.
Which @BVB men should we keeping tabs on during #JuveBVB and why? Tell us in 140 characters! #UCL pic.twitter.com/ZWwTbPZEjJ
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 24, 2015
Here is a selection of your replies:
@juventusfcen @BVB Reus, hummels
— Eric (@HalidayEric) February 24, 2015
@juventusfcen @BVB Marco Reus! Incredibly quick, very tidy in possession and a killer shot he's definitely one to look out for
— Raindrop (@RamziJuve) February 24, 2015
@juventusfcen @BVB Aubameyang so fast off the mark, reus aswell. Clinical in the final third
— Juventini Canada (@JuventiniCanada) February 24, 2015
So let’s take a look at the BVB trio of skipper Mats Hummels, shining light Marco Reus and speed merchant Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Name: Mats Hummels
Age: 26
Position: Central defender
Appointed as Borussia Dortmund’s captain at the start of this season, Hummels has been a mainstay of the BVB rearguard since joining the club on a permanent basis from Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich in 2009.
The 26-year-old is known for his ability to build attacks out from the back and is strong in the challenge. It’s been an injury-filled campaign for the big defender thus far, which has only allowed him to make 12 first-team appearances, scoring a solitary goal.
Hummels is also a key member of the Germany squad and his combative performances during last year’s triumphant World Cup in Brazil saw him nominated on a 10-man shortlist for FIFA’s Golden Ball award.
On a side note, the centre-back has already beaten Gigi Buffon on one occasion, during Die Mannschaft’s 1-1 friendly draw with Italy at the San Siro back in November 2013.
Name: Marco Reus
Age: 25
Position: Attacking midfielder/Winger
After also spending a large part of this season on the treatment table alongside Hummels, Reus is back up and running, seemingly ready to rumble.
The 25-year-old recently put pen to paper on a new contract at the club until 2019 and is a very dangerous player for opposition defenders to try and contain. He is somewhat of a set-piece specialist, threads key passes, is prone to the odd long shot and always finishes with aplomb.
A boyhood Dortmund fan, the German international has three goals and an assist in his last three games for the club. Despite only making two appearances in this season’s competition, the former Borussia Monchengladbach star has already bagged two strikes.
Very much a man trying to make up for lost time on the sidelines, he'll try and prove the difference for the visitors as they look to bring a positive result back to the Westfalenstadion ahead of the second leg in three weeks' time.
Name: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Former Milan Primavera striker Aubameyang arrived in Germany back in 2013 following a successful two-year spell at Ligue 1 outfit Saint-Etienne
Having netted 16 times in all competitions for club and country this term, four which have come in his last three games for Dortmund, the Gabon international will be eager to keep up his rich vein of form when facing the Bianconeri defence.
Aubameyang thrives on counter-attacks, likes to cut inside on to his favoured right foot when running through on goal and links up well with those supporting him up front.
The 25-year-old helped Dortmund get their 2014/15 Champions League campaign off to a winning start by grabbing the second in his side’s 2-0 Matchday 1 triumph over Premier League giants Arsenal at the Westfalenstadion in September.
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