Borussia Dortmund gear up for Real Madrid showdown

The match, a rematch of last season's Champions League final, saw Dortmund eager to avenge their 2-0 defeat at Wembley.

Sahin confirmed that goalkeeper Gregor Kobel had been nursing a minor stomach issue but reassured fans that he would be fit to play.

"'Greg' had a slight stomach problem, but it was just a precautionary measure. We expect him to be available," Sahin stated.

He also welcomed the return of Niklas Sule, who had missed the previous match against St. Pauli due to illness, and noted that Pascal Gross had recovered from a knock sustained in that game.

Dortmund have made an impressive start in the Champions League, topping the standings after securing a convincing 3-0 win over Club Brugge and a staggering 7-1 victory against Celtic.

However, Sahin has acknowledged the challenge posed by the reigning champions. "Mentality is not enough to survive against Real Madrid. We need quality and conviction, and a bit of luck," he emphasized.

"If we just defend, they'll get through eventually. We want to show our football and make our mark."

READ MORE: La Liga eye December FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid clash in Miami