Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is out for revenge against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday afer the thrashing by the Dutch champions in Amsterdam a fortnight ago.
The Germans are missing star striker Erling Braut Haaland, sidelined by a hip injury, but Hummels says the hosts remain determined to put up a fight at Signal Iduna Park.
“We want to play a much better game and show from the start that we want to win,” Hummels said in Tuesday’s press conference.
Dortmund were trounced 4-0 in Amsterdam in October.
The German club had few answers after falling behind to a Marco Reus own goal.
Daley Blind and Antony also scored for Ajax before Sebastien Haller bagged his sixth goal in three Champions League games to complete the rout.
Group C leaders Ajax will be guaranteed a last 16 place if they win in Dortmund, who sit second in the table and are three points behind.
Dortmund coach Marco Rose wants more aggression from his side and sought advice from Heracles Almelo’s German boss Frank Wormuth, who held Ajax to a goalless draw in the Dutch league Saturday.
“One might have to go into the challenges with a little foul sometimes. We have to play better and more courageously,” Rose said.
“You can put a lot of things together, but in the end it’s about the implementation.”
Haller, 27, is enjoying a purple patch with 13 goals in 15 games this season, but the former Frankfurt striker expects a tough game.
“With the support of their fans, but also because Dortmund certainly wants to return the favour, it will be much more difficult for us,” Haller told magazine Kicker.
“It will be important to tactically stand up to Dortmund and counter attack them.”
