Dortmund: Borussia Dortmund are hoping that central defender Mats Hummels will recover from the flu in time for Tuesday's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk. Hummels scored the late equaliser in the 2-2 draw Dortmund earned in Donetsk and any win at home will take his team into the quarter-finals. A 0-0 or 1-1 draw will also see Dortmund through.
The Germany defender missed Dortmund's last two matches - a 1-0 German Cup quarter-final loss to Bayern Munich and a 3-1 Bundesliga win over Hannover. Dortmund have lost the German Cup title and are also about to surrender the league crown as well since they trail Bayern by 17 points. Dortmund's only hope of winning a title this season is the Champions League. It won the competition in 1997.
Hummels is a key player for Dortmund and his absence would be a blow. Dortmund bounced back from the loss in Munich with a comfortable victory over Hannover, although coach Juergen Klopp rested some players and reshuffled his lineup. "It was important to send a signal," Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller said.
Robert Lewandowski, normally a striker, was moved to an attacking role in the midfield and scored two goals. Kevin Grosskreutz, a midfielder playing as right back, had a role in setting up both of Lewandowski's goals.
Lukasz Piszczek, rested because of a painful hip, is likely to return as right back against Donetsk. "Now we want to advance a round against Donetsk. We're not afraid of them," Grosskreutz said.
Lewandowski has scored 21 goals and set up another six in his last 27 Bundesliga games. He is likely to leave the club at the end of the season. Dortmund hope their impressive Champions League form at home this season - three wins from three against Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax - will prove instrumental against Shakhtar.
"We are in a good position," Dortmund defender Marcel Schmelzer said, but said his team had to be careful. "They are still fresh as they have only played two games this year. That's what makes them dangerous, especially in attack with their fast Brazilians. We need to be on guard.
"We still have two targets - finish second in the Bundesliga and progress to the next round of the Champions League. But we will need to hard work to achieve these goals."
Shakhtar warmed up for the match with a 4-1 win over Volyn in the domestic league. "I think they will pay serious attention to tending defense. And our team will try to attack with the desired result being a win," Shakhtar forward Luiz Adriano said, adding that the Ukrainian side must not neglect its defence.
Defender Razvan Rat said the main danger came from Dortmund forwards Marco Reus, Mario Goetze and Lewandowski. "Borussia asserts enormous pressure on the wings, that's their style and philosophy. The run a lot and are fast, which creates chances for them and problems for their opponents," Rat said.
This is Shakhtar's second appearance in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. They reached the quarter-finals after beating AS Roma in 2011.
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