Tuchel rues Reus loss for Dortmund's must-win Benfica clash
Thomas Tuchel is unsure how to compensate for the loss of Marco Reus for Dortmund's must-win Champions League assignment against Benfica.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AaVxvrRwtF4vxPgq49R6qj.jpg)
Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel claims he is still pondering the best way to cope without injured forward Marco Reus in Wednesday's Champions League last-16 showdown with Benfica.
Germany international Reus has been dogged by fitness woes over recent seasons and was making only his 11th Bundesliga appearance of the campaign when he departed with a thigh problem after 44 minutes of Saturday's 6-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Tuchel acknowledged the setback as a significant blow, stating the 27-year-old was playing at close to his best over recent weeks, and he is still mulling his options as Dortmund aim to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against the Portuguese champions.
"I cannot tell you how we will replace Marco Reus," he told a pre-match news conference.
"For one I don't want to, but I also don't quite know yet with which player type we will line up where. But there is no doubt, he is a loss, he was in outstanding form."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a penalty saved as Dortmund failed to find a way through Benfica's stubborn defence at Estadio da Luz.
Der seit dem 0:1 bei vs Wolfsburgvs Freiburgvs LeverkusenMarch 6, 2017
"We need to free our minds from the 1-0 scoreline. It won't be at the centre of our preparations," Tuchel said.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"We've got the feeling that we're able to score in different ways, we're able to prevent counters, able to beat Benfica.
"Benfica is not only a big name. The aura of the club always rubs off on the players, who take confidence from that.
"We have the feeling that we can progress, we're feeling that it's the right moment for it as well.
"Tomorrow's match is the kind of game everyone looks forward to when he signs a contract at Dortmund."
Left-back Raphael Guerreiro is a doubt for Dortmund having sustained a muscular injury at the weekend.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack