Borussia Dortmund full-back Raphael Guerreiro says they have learned their lesson from a Europa League horror show against Rangers.
The Portuguese defender believes if they score early at Ibrox they can turn the tie on its head.
Guerreiro’s late goal on Thursday night gave the Germans hope, despite Gers’ magnificent 4-2 first-leg win. He admits Gio van Bronckhorst’s men are now clear favourites to reach the last 16. But Guerreiro is refusing to give up hope of a sensational comeback this Thursday.
He said: “Honestly, we played a bad match against Rangers, especially in the first half. We were very bad in defence until the last 15 minutes when we played with some pride and spirit.
“Rangers are now favourites to progress but we can dream of success in Scotland. With the away goal rule change it gives us a little advantage. And in 90 minutes of football, any score is possible to change.
“The key for us on Thursday is to put pressure on Rangers from the first moment and to score in the opening 15 minutes. That’s our objective. We have learned lessons and we’ll use that as a positive going to Glasgow.
“The atmosphere will be difficult for us but Dortmund is used to that kind of tension.”
Former Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl has admitted their humiliating defeat to Rangers was “embarrassing.”
And his attack comes after the club’s sports director Michael Zorc insisted BVB players should be ashamed of themselves after the Europa League defeat.
Kehl – who won the Bundesliga three times with Dortmund after making 362 appearances and will move from his role of head of first team football at the German club to sports director in the summer – couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.
He said: “We are very, very sober when it comes to the performance of the players. We sat on the bench and thought ‘why are we starting like this?’
“Why don’t we realise how big this game is and how important it is?
“It broke all of our hearts. It was embarrassing. We have received a lot of justified criticism and the least we can do when we travel to Glasgow is produce a significantly improved performance.
“But the tie is not decided yet thanks to the abolition of the away goals rule.”
