Good evening European football fans, thanks for joining Sports Mole tonight as Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk fight for Champions League survival. The last-16 tie is finely poised at 2-2 after a pulsating first leg at the Donbass Arena three weeks ago.

Dortmund are just about favourites to progress thanks to a last-gasp equaliser in the first leg from Mats Hummels. The defensive linchpin has missed BVB's last two matches with the flu and is a big fitness worry for Jurgen Klopp ahead of tonight's decider.

The Champions League represents Dortmund's last chance to claim a trophy this season. The double holders in Germany trail Bayern Munich by 17 points in the Bundesliga and were knocked out of the DFB Pokal by their domestic rivals last week. Despite struggling to repeat last season's breathtaking league form Klopp's men have impressed in Europe and remain genuine contenders to reach Wembley in May.

Speaking of genuine contenders in this competition, Shakhtar are confident of victory at the Signal Iduna Park tonight. Mircea Lucescu's side progressed from the group stages at Chelsea's expense and possess enough talent in all areas to harbour ambitions of matching their run to the quartet-finals last season.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! The starting XI's are in at the Westfalenstadion and do not provide the boost Dortmund were hoping for. Hummels has failed to prove his fitness in time to start tonight, with Felipe Santana continuing to deputise in central defence for the home side.

Klopp has decided to make a couple of changes in midfield, with Mario Gotze and Jakub Blaszczykowski brought back into the side. Full starting XI's for both sides will follow shortly.

DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Subotic, Piszczek, Santana, Schmelzer,Bender, Gundogan, Gotze, Reus, Blaszczykowski, Lewandowski

SHAKHTAR: Pyatov, Kucher, Raţ, Rakitskiy, Hubschman, Fernandinho, Teixeira, Srna, Adriano, Mkhitaryan, Taison

There is a slight surprise in the Shakhtar lineup, with Douglas Costa left out of the side in favour of January signing Taison. The forward scored in the first leg but has to make do with a place on the bench in Dortmund this evening.

The Ukrainian champions only returned to domestic action on Saturday after a three-month winter break. Costa and Eduardo were both on target in a 4-1 win over Volyn Lutsk, but are left in reserve by Lucescu for tonight's crunch clash. Shakhtar will also play just their third competitive match without Brazilian playmaker Willian tonight after he was sold to Zenit St Petersburg in January.

Shakhtar can take heart from their from their impressive away record in the Champions League, which includes 22 goals in their 11 games on the continent. Lucecsu's men were able to find the net twice at Chelsea in an impressive display at Stamford Bridge. They will a similar performance to have any chance of qualification for the last eight.

While the visitors pose a threat on their travels, Dortmund's home form is nothing short of formidable. Manchester City, Ajax and Real Madrid were all unable to win at the Signa Iduna Park this season as the German champions finished top of Group D. Klopp's side are unbeaten in seven Champions League matches this season and will almost certainly qualify if that run is extended to eight by 9.30pm.

Both managers were cautiously optimistic in their pre-match press conferences yesterday afternoon. Klopp has admitted that Dortmund's season will now be judged on their ability to reach the latter stages of the Champions League.

Dortmund's maverick coach told reporters: "I have read it would be a lost season if we don't go though. I think that's very harsh. We have a big opportunity to finish second in the Bundesliga, we wouldn't have dreamt of that three years ago.

"It is a very, very important match for us because this side have the opportunity of reaching something new, the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"It will be difficult for either team, the first leg decided nothing. Our position is maybe a bit better, but no more than that. I'm not worried about us making mistakes. There is no such thing as a football match without mistakes. It's about performing so well that your mistakes don't matter in the larger scheme of things. It's now about how well the lads on the pitch perform, that's what's decisive."

Lucescu believes that the key to victory will be avoiding mistakes and staying calm under pressure in the red hot atmosphere of the Westfalenstadion.

He told reporters: "I think we are well prepared although Dortmund are a very strong side. They advanced from a group containing Ajax, Real Madrid and Manchester City and created six or seven clear chances against all of them at home.

"Despite being well-oiled in the Bundesliga, they profited only from our mistakes in the first leg. For [Robert] Lewandowski's goal, two of our players got in each other's way and it was similar for their second goal. Dortmund might be in better shape, physically. They are playing at a very high level, be it with vertical or horizontal passes, low or high balls. My team will aim to make fewer mistakes and avoid handing them any presents.

"Dortmund will make life difficult for us and go on the attack from the off, backed by those fans. We will come under pressure at the back. The team which goes through tomorrow will surely reach the Champions League final. Klopp is a great coach, world class."

The wily Romanian veteran was at the Allianz Arena last week to watch Bayern Munich edge Dortmund by a solitary Arjen Robben strike. His side must score tonight to keep their Champions League dream alive and will definitely exit the competition with any a defeat by any scoreline.

Dortmund look slightly more conservative than usual on paper tonight, with two holding midfielders providing protection for the back four. Sven Bender and Ilkay Gundogan are the men charged with stopping Fernandinho and Taison from hurting the home side in the final third.

A quick glance at the bookmaker's odds of the Champions League has Dortmund as fourth favourites. While that assumption may ring true, odds of around 7/1 are far too long for a side with Robert Lewandowski leading the line. Expect that price to drop dramatically if BVB make the quarter-finals tonight, particularly with either Real Madrid or Manchester United facing an early exit this evening at Old Trafford.

Klopp has decided to change his usual attire of hat and tracksuit for Champions League night this season, which is perhaps a sign of how important Dortmund view the competition. The coach is suited and booted this evening, but will his team deliver a performance worthy of the occasion against a dangerous Shakhtar side?

Luiz Adriano and Lewadowski just about stand out as the key men in a star-studded lineup tonight. Adriano has a hat-trick to his name in this season's Champions League, which was scored in controversial circumstances at Nordsjaelland. Expect the powerful, pacy Brazilian to cause Subotic problems on the counter tonight!

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Lewandowski is a fairly controversial figure himself of late, with contract disputes and overturned suspensions ensuring that the Polish striker stays in the headlines. Luckily for Dortmund the prolific forward continues to be clinical when it counts and scored a brace on his return against Hannover last weekend.

PREDICTION! There is just time before kickoff for me to register a prediction for a match between two of Europe's most exciting sides. Dortmund are slight favourites and I expect the home side to ride an early wave of pressure to progress. Shakhtar are fresh but may lack a cutting edge in the closing stages due to inactivity. I think Reus will make the difference in a 2-1 win for the German champions.

Just a quick reminder before we get underway that Dortmund are without key defender Mats Hummels tonight, with the German international sidelined by a flu virus.

Shakhtar kick things off in a changed white strip but quickly lose possession after a robust challenge from Schmelzer. The visitors have dropped fairly deep in the closing stages, with a plan to counter with pace on the break.

Dortmund launch their first attack after Gudogan sets up a neat exchange between Reus and Lewandowski. The home side win a corner kick but are unable to force an effort on target from the set piece.

Gotze gets involved with a driving run from the left as Dortmund begin to dominate possession and territory in the first few minutes. This is exactly the kind of start Klopp will have wanted to calm any nerves, with the tie still very much in the balance.

Shakhtar look to content to sit and wait early on, under Lucescu's insistence that silly mistakes must be avoided at all costs. Dortmund are playing at a trademark high tempo but are yet to create a clear-cut opportunity despite passing with intent and purpose.

Around 800 travelling Shakhtar fans finally have a reason to be positive as Srna breaks down the right, but his cross is easily intercepted by Subotic. His ability to help Santana through tonight's match with effective communication will be key for the hosts tonight. The Brazilian has made a number of errors in recent weeks and is under pressure to improve quickly.

CHANCE! Lewandowski has his first sight of goal after being played through on goal but his low effort is well saved by the onrushing Pyatov.

YELLOW CARD! Kucher is cautioned for a cynical challenge on Lewandowski, who is now causing Shakhtar all sorts of problems with pace and awareness.

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Sven Bender tries his luck from range for Dortmund but his effort is well wide. With that strike you can see why the tenacious midfielder is yet to score this season.

Shakhtar are being swamped in central midfield and cannot gain any concerted possession to build a foothold in the match. Despite their struggles a single strike will still see the visitors through at this stage.

The home side continue to probe as Gotze and Reus swap positions ominously in the final third. Shakhtar need to hold firm until the interval and build a late charge at goal.

SHOT! And just as I urge Shakhtar to be cautious Taison launches a clever counter with switch to Fernandinho. The midfielder is about to pull the trigger from 20 yards but has his shot blocked by Gundogan for a corner kick.

Raktiskiy sends in a brilliant curling cross as the Ukrainian's finally show some attacking intent. Santana clears the danger with an important header but the match has definitely opened up at both ends in the last few minutes.

Santana puts the home side ahead with a towering header from 10 yards. The Brazilian defender showed incredible elevation to meet a corner and thump his effort past Pyatov and a defender on the post. Advantage Dortmund!

That moment will have been so sweet for Santana after an indifferent run of form in recent weeks. Dortmund are now firmly in the driving seat but Shakhtar will be bitterly disappointed to have conceded to set piece against the Germans for a second time in the tie.

A lapse in concentration in the Shakhtar defence has allowed Dortmund to extend their advantage through Mario Gotze. The playmaker stole in between two static central defenders to turn home Lewandowski's speculative cross. The visitors now need two goals to force extra time, which looks a tall order against Klopp's confident side.

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Gotze's smart finish on the turn took a deflection off Kucher, who has endured a nightmare half on his return to the Shakhtar starting XI!

CHANCE! Dortmund should be three up through Lewandowski. The striker had the goal at his mercy but chose to delay and try to take the strike with his right foot. Hubschman uses the hesitation to regroup and block the low shot wide of the near post.

Kuchar lashes a shot well over the crossbar in frustration with an effort that just about sums up Shakhtar's disappointing night so far. Lucescu will need to call on all of his considerable managerial experience to dig the visitors out of this hole.

SHOT! Fernandinho forces Weidenfeller to tip a long-range effort over the bar. That effort looked like a cross but it still represents Shakhtar' best strike on goal of the opening 45 minutes.

Dortmund have been nothing short of superb tonight and look a safe bet to make the last eight at this stage. A two-goal advantage just about does the home side justice, with Gotze and Santana taking advantage of slack defending to build a 4-2 aggregate lead.

Shakhtar have lacked urgency in all areas but in particular a shaky defence has undermined their efforts this evening. Concentration and commitment are crucial against Dortmund's high-tempo style of play, and the visitor's attempts to build any kind of meaningful response.

Lucescu has attacking options at his disposal on the bench and needs to use them quickly to salvage Shakhtar's European campaign. Douglas Costa's omission from the starting XI was slight surprise, expect to see him introduced early in the second half.

Former Arsenal striker Eduardo is also among the Shakhtar subs and is a clinical finisher. He will be itching to get involved and help his side produce an unlikely comeback after the interval.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Both sides have decided to make a change at the break, with the introduction of Costa hardly a surprise from Shakhtar. Dortmund have swapped Sven Bender for Sebastian Kehl in central midfield. The veteran midfielder normally starts and will help provide solidity and experience for the home side.

CHANCE! Costa wastes no time in making his mark with a driving run into the penalty area. After a mazy run and pass from Adriano the sub angles a low effort narrowly wide of the far post. This is much better from the visitors.

Fernandinho arrives late in the penalty area but is stopped from getting a shot off by Weidenfeller, who forces the Brazilian wide and eventually wins a goal kick. Why did Shakhtar now show this intent to attack and press in the first 45 minutes.

Dortmund are under the cosh as Shakhtar commit men forward in numbers. Mkhitaryan is the latest player to drive inside the box but a lack of composure sees the visiting captain lash over from a tight angle.

Reus buys Dortmund a breather on the break with a clever run, which is eventually upended by Kuchar. The centre-back is on a yellow card and is risking further sanctions with a string of unnecessary fouls. The last thing Shakhtar need is to play the final 35 minutes at a man disadvantage.

SHOT! Gotze attempts to catch Pyatov out at the near post with a cheeky effort. His shot is easily saved and Gundogan is not pleased after making a run unmarked at the far post. That could have been game, set and match for Dortmund right there.

A horrible mistake from Pyatov has effectively ended this tie as a contest. He somehow managed to spill Gundogan's central strike straight to Blasczcykowski, who tapped home a simple rebound to give Dortmund a 5-2 aggregate advantage. A terrible mistake from the Shakhtar keeper has cost his side dear!

Just as Shakhtar were beginning to believe they have been undermined once again by defensive incompetence. At this level you simply cannot afford to make mistakes of that magnitude. Dortmund have shown a ruthless streak to take advantage and almost certainly book their place in the last eight.

Shakhtar have once again responded brightly but their efforts will be mean very little at this stage. Dortmund look content to keep possession in their own half where possible. The home side have conceded in their last 11 matches and will want to record a clean sheet to emphasise their dominance tonight.

SUBSTITUTION: Dortmund take the chance to swap Blaszczykowski for Kevin Gorsskreutz with less than 20 minute to play. The Polish winger played his part and capped an effective performance by scoring a third goal.

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Shakhtar are adamant that they should be awarded a penalty after Piszczek appeared to handle. Douglas Costa was closest to the incident, but replays clearly show that while it was handball the offence occurred outside the penalty area.

SAVE! Grosskreutz comes close to scoring almost instantly with a low shot into the far corner. Pyatov shows reflexes that deserted him earlier in the match to tip the shot wide for a corner.

CHANCE! Ratkisky comes close to handing Shakhtar a late lifeline with an instinctive effort in the six-yard box. Dortmund initially struggled to clear a corner kick and needed a strong save from Weidenfeller to preserve their 5-2 lead.

SAVE! Reus just fails to round off a sensational solo run as his finish on the turn flies wide of the near post. Shakhtar's backline was rendered redundant by a fantastic mazy dribble from the German international, who has been superb all night!

SUBSTITUTION: Dortmund bring on Nuri Sahin to help keep possession in central midfield. Ilkay Gundogan has been effective throughout and deserves his rest with seven minutes still to play.

SHOT! Luis Adriano fails to steer home a toe poke from close range after narrowly beating the offside trap to meet Fernandinho's hopeful shot. Weidenfeller has been strong when called upon tonight and does enough to send the ball wide with at full stretch.

Dortmund are playing out the final few minutes in second gear but still look capable of adding a fourth if they press the action. Klopp's side will be daunting opposition for anyone in the last eight on this evidence.

SUBSTITUTION: The visitors send on Stepnaenko in the closing stages for their final change as the fourth official signals for one additional minute of added time.

In the end Borussia Dortmund's qualification for the last eight came far easier than anyone could have predicted. First-half goals from Felipe Santana and Mario Gotze took the sting out of Shakhtar Donetsk, who were undermined by a woeful defence throughout.

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Jurgen Klopp's side are the first to book their place in the last eight and represent a strong outside bet to go all the way to Wembley and the Champions League final.

That just about does it for tonight's minute-by-minute commentary from Germany. Thanks for joining us at Sports Mole and be sure to look out for analysis of Dortmund's victory in around 30 minutes time. Goodnight!