Dortmund vs Barcelona: 6 Key Facts & Stats to Impress Your Mates Ahead of Champions League Clash

?The waiting is over and the Champions League proper starts again on Tuesday night, with Europe’s biggest, best and most thrilling competition kicking off with some intriguing fixtures.

Desperate to exercise the ghosts of remontadas past, Barcelona travel to Dortmund to begin their European campaign. Lionel Messi looks like he may just be fit to play his first game of the season, much to the Germans’ dismay. However, Lucien Favre’s hosts look stronger than last year with some smart summer business, a red-hot Paco Alcacer returning to face his old club and more gametime under Jadon Sancho’s belt.

Paco Alcacer,Jadon Sancho,Marco Reus

It looks set to be a cracker in Germany but how much do you know about the game?

Want some lucky omens to help predict the winner, some betting advice, or just stats to impress your mates down the pub with your anorak-ian knowledge? Well, with a little help from Opta, we’ve got you covered…


Not Well-Acquainted

Surprisingly, given both clubs’ European pedigree, this will be only the third meeting between ?Dortmund and ?Barcelona in a competitive match.

The previous two came in the 1997/98 European Super Cup, with Barcelona winning 3-1 on aggregate. Former manager Luis Enrique scored in that affair.


Group Stage Bullies

Barcelona, as you might expect, are pretty formidable in the ?Champions League group stages and are unbeaten in their last 14 (W10 D4) and have lost just one of their last 28 at this stage of the competition. That defeat you ask? Away at Manchester City back in November 2016.


Home or Away?

Divock Origi

If Barça have one weakness, however, it’s playing on the road. 16 of the club’s last 17 Champions League defeats have come in away games.
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That’s good news for hosts but, less encouragingly, ?Dortmund have won just two of their last eight Champions League home matches (D2 L4), with last season’s finalists Tottenham Hotspur the last team to find success at Signal Iduna Park.


Messi Magic

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Lionel Messi has scored against 32 of the 37 different opponents that he’s faced in the Champions League with Barcelona but has never scored (or even faced) Dortmund. Should he score on Tuesday, Messi would equal the competition record of different teams scored against, set by Raul (33 clubs).

Messi has scored 16 goals in 14 Champions League appearances against German clubs and scored against all five German teams that he’s previously faced: Bayer Leverkusen (7), Bayern Munich (4), Stuttgart (3), Borussia Mönchengladbach (1) and Werder Bremen (1). 

Good luck with that Dortmund!


For more pre-match content see here for our full ?match preview and ?combined XI.

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Champions League: Picking a Combined XI From Teams in Group F

?Europe’s elite competition returns this week and when the group stage draw was made at the end of last month, there was one group that had us all rather excited: Group F.

??The group contains eight European Cup titles and three of Europe’s finest; BarcelonaBorussia Dortmund and Inter. Oh, and of course, Slavia Prague. 

Barca will be welcoming back Lionel Messi for their group-stage opener against Dortmund, who currently sit second in the Bundesliga and behold one of the most exciting young squads in the continent. 

Antonio Conte’s Inter have also started the season well, winning all three of their games and conceding just once in the process. They sit atop of Serie A and look to be a real threat to Juventus’ crown this season.

??Here’s our attempt at a combined XI between the teams in the ‘Group of Death’: 


Goalkeeper and Defenders

Gerard Pique

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK): Fantastic shot-stopper and one of the best with the ball at his feet. Incredibly unlucky to not have more Germany caps to his name than he currently does. 

Nelson Semedo (RB): This was a tricky one but Semedo gets the nod over the young Achraf Hakimi. Semedo is incredible athletic and has cemented himself as Valverde’s first-choice right-back. He would be in the conversation for one of the best in the world if he developed the attacking side of his game.

Gerard Pique (CB): He’s been elite for a decade and still is, so a no brainer really. Next. 

Milan Skriniar (CB): Gets in over an ageing Diego Godin. Skriniar has developed into one of Europe’s highest rated centre-backs and will be key for Antonio Conte this season. The Slovakian is strong, dominant in the air and is comfortable in possession. A complete centre-half.

Jordi Alba (LB): Read Pique.


Midfielders

Frenkie De Jong

Axel Witsel (CDM): Undoubtedly the hardest position to pick with so much talent to choose from between three European giants (sorry Slavia). For Inter, Stefano Sensi has started the season brilliantly whilst Nicolo Barella has impressed every time he’s represented the national side. Barca’s Arthur, who is an incredible ball-retainer, and Sergio Busquets (read Pique) could’ve easily got into this side, but Witsel gets the nod. The Belgian is pivotal in Lucien Favre’s 4-2-3-1, breaking up attacks and then getting his team moving in the other direction with his slick passing. He’s the midfield presence needed in this side.

Frenkie de Jong (CDM): Last season’s UEFA Midfielder of the Year partners Witsel in the double-pivot. Fantastic breaker of lines with the ball at his feet and is certainly underrated defensively. He’s already considered one of the best central-midfield players in the world at just 22 years of age.

Lionel Messi (CAM/Wherever He Wants): The ?third greatest footballer of all time; pretty simple.


Forwards

Marco Reus,Jadon Sancho,Paco Alcacer

Jadon Sancho (RW): Arguably the hottest prospect in world football at the moment. Sancho’s electric pace and eye for a pass make him a nightmare for opposing left-backs. The 19-year-old burst onto the scene last season with 29 goals and assists in 34 Bundesliga games and he looks to be carrying on his form this season, already notching up six goals and assists in the league.

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Paco Alcacer (ST): Despite Romelu Lukaku starting brightly at Inter and the elite Luis Suarez returning from injury, Alcacer is arguably Europe’s most in-form striker at the moment so it’s difficult not to pick him. Seven goals already this season to go with the 19 he registered last term show the quality the Spaniard has in front of goal.

Antoine Griezmann (LW): Playing out of position, but we’d still take him over Dortmund’s Julian Brandt or Inter’s Kwadwo Asamoah. Griezmann has built a reputation for being one of the finest second-strikers in Europe over the past few years and has impressed playing centrally for Barca this season. However, when Luis Suarez and the ‘GOAT’ return, he will likely be forced out to the left.


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Pep Guardiola Confirms John Stones Injury With Defender Expected to Miss 4 or 5 Weeks

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed centre back John Stones is set to miss the next four to five weeks of action after picking up a muscle injury in training on Tuesday.

Stones partnered Nicolas Otamendi to all round terrible reviews in the 3-2 defeat at Norwich on Saturday, but the injury leaves City seriously thin in central defence.

Speaking to the press ahead of City’s ?Champions League group stage opener against Shakhtar Donetsk, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Guardiola revealed the England international had been struck down with a muscular problem earlier in training.

John Stones

Asked if there were any injuries to report, he explained: “John Stones, he picked up an injury this morning. Four, five weeks. A muscular problem.”

Naturally, after the defensive lapses that cost them in the Norwich loss, and with Aymeric Laporte similarly sidelined, this could not have come at a worse time for the Catalan, and leaves them with just one bonafide central defender in Otamendi.

However, while he refused to deny it would be a sincere challenge, the tactician remained upbeat, declaring: “Big challenge. So for me as a manager, it’s an incredible challenge, just one central defender in Nico.”

The other options he has at his disposal are central midfielder Fernandinho, who has played at the back before, and youth team prospects Eric Garcia and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Keeping the faith, Guardiola continued: “But I believe a lot, people don’t know the spirit and resolve to solve this problem. The player’s going to come back with Dinho, Garcia, Harwood-Bellis.

“It’s happened, but what we are not going to do is complain. If they are not able, they are not able. We have to have 11 players on the pitch and I like it, to find a solution.

“For the players as well to find an incredible step forward. John and Aymer are injured for a long time.”

If that wasn’t enough, it was also unveiled that midfielder prodigy Phil Foden would also be out for the next couple of games, with Guardiola revealing: “He has a virus problem with the stomach. He will miss this game and maybe the next.”

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Champions League: Picking a Combined XI From Teams in Group H

?Group H in the Champions League kicks off on Tuesday as Europa League champions Chelsea take on Valencia at Stamford Bridge and Ajax host LOSC Lille.

It’s a tough group for Chelsea, with an Ajax side that reached the semi finals of the competition last year expected to do well again, while neither Valencia or Lille are expected to roll over easily.

With so many exceptional players in all three teams, picking a combined XI was not easy, but here’s a look at who made the cut.


Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) – ?Chelsea boast one of the youngest squads in the Premier League and impressive shot-stopper Arrizabalaga falls into that category. Joining the club in 2018 from Athletic Club for around £70m, he has adapted well to life in the English game. Despite not keeping a clean sheet this season, the 24-year-old gets the nod ahead of Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, who made a number of errors as ?Barcelona beat Valencia 5-2 at Camp Nou this past weekend.

César Azpilicueta (RB) The Spain international has made the right back position his own since his move to Chelsea from Marseille in 2012. Clocking up 342 appearances in all competitions to date, ?Azpilicueta is one of the key figures in the squad.

José Fonte (CB) – The former Southampton centre back will have the tough task of leading the Lille backline. Now 35, the Portugal international was drafted in last summer following a brief spell at Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang. He will come up against the likes of in form Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham and 29-year-old Spain international Rodrigo.

Ezequiel Garay (CB) – The 32-year-old Argentinian has been a prolific figure alongside former Arsenal centre back Gabriel Paulista since his arrival at Valencia from Zenit St. Petersburg in 2016. A key figure under former manager Marcelino, he will command Los Che’s backline as he aims to guide his team to the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition.

José Luis Gayà (LB) – Gayà, 24, like Valencia predecessors Jordi Alba and Juan Bernat, has a natural inclination to attack and makes an impact going forward. His fast acceleration allows him to sprint down the left flank, while he can also drop back, recover his position and defend. Thanks to a strong first touch and good ball control, Gayà is able to drive in and out down the flanks without giving away possession and can also deliver dangerous crosses, especially with his left foot. 


Midfielders

Donny Van de Beek

Donny van de Beek (CM) – Best described as a modern, dynamic, box-to-box midfielder, Van de Beek has become one of Ajax’s leaders. His effectiveness lies in his flexibility, as he’s blessed with a perfect first touch and combines individual skill with stamina to devastating effect. Van de Beek is comfortable drifting out wide, instigating Ajax’s forward press, dropping deep to cover and making smart runs into the penalty area, which has enabled him to pop up with 32 goals in 140 matches, also creating a further 25. He is one to watch in this season’s competition.

N’Golo Kanté (CM) – Kanté is back playing in the deep-lying midfield role he has perfected over the years following last season’s positional debacle under Maurizio Sarri. The 28-year-old France international is one of the senior figures in the ?Chelsea ranks and Lampard hopes he will be able to feature against Valencia on matchday one following a small knock he picked up in the Premier League.

Dušan Tadi? (CAM) – Ajax paid a transfer sum of €11.4m to bring the former Southampton playmaker to the Johan Cruijff ArenA last summer. The Serbia international impressed in the 4-1 victory over Real Madrid in last season’s competition, netting in the match, and was a constant threat against Juventus too. Tadi?, 30, will be hoping for more success in this season’s competition, having seen his side fall at the semi final hurdle against Tottenham.


Forwards

Tammy Abraham

David Neres (RW) – The Brazil international helped guide Ajax to their first Champions League semi final since the 1996/97 season. Skilful, quick and agile, the Neres expresses himself much better when running into the box like he did against Real Madrid to finish off Tadi?’s outrageous assist for the second goal in Ajax’s iconic 4-1 success in Madrid last season.

Tammy Abraham (ST) – Abraham has already racked up seven goals in the Premier League this season, netting a hat-trick away to Wolves in his most recent appearance, and is now the joint top scorer in the division alongside Sergio Agüero. Valencia’s Rodrigo could have easily made it in to the XI due to his experience, but the 22-year-old has had a fine start to Premier League life and is excelling under Lampard.

Gonçalo Guedes (LW) – The 22-year-old has made a real name for himself since swapping Paris Saint-Germain for the Mestalla on a permanent deal last summer. He made his senior international debut in November 2015, at the age of 18, and played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, also scoring the winning goal for Portugal in the 2019 UEFA Nations League final. Being instrumental in helping his side defeat Barcelona in the 2019 Copa del Rey final, the Portugal international likes to cut inside and will pose a constant attacking threat.


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Hugo Lloris’ MLS Revelation a Stark Reminder That Tottenham Must Plan for the Future

?Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has confessed that he does believe he will end his career with the Premier League side.

The 32-year-old has been a permanent fixture in Spurs’ lineup since joining the club back in 2012 and he is currently the team captain.

Hugo Lloris

He has three years left on his current deal but, speaking to ?France Football, Lloris confessed that he does not believe he will retire with ?Spurs, adding that he would be open to trying ‘something new’ in the future.

He did insist that he will remain completely focused to Spurs until the time comes for him to leave, but he could not resist discussing his desire to go play in ?Major League Soccer before his career is over.

Lloris admitted he could finish his career there, although he does not like to think too much about the future as it distracts him from the here and now.

If fans were in any doubt of his commitment to the club, Lloris certainly tried to alleviate those concerns. He insisted that he has ‘never opened the door’ to leaving Spurs because he has been so happy at the club, and working with manager Mauricio Pochettino has made life a breeze.

He also spoke of Tottenham’s progression during his time at the club, revealing the club ‘has evolved at incredible speed’ during his time in north London, insisting ‘I can tell the difference between the state of the club the day I arrived and today.’

Overall, the Frenchman has made 303 appearances for the club, and during that time, has established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers around. He may be guilty of making a few mistakes, but his shot-stopping ability is up there amongst the best in the world.

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However, now 32 years old, it would be foolish for everyone involved not to think about the future. Whilst he remains at a top level, he will always be welcome at Spurs, but the club will have to move on eventually.

There is no immediate rush for Spurs to look for a replacement but, when Lloris’ contract expires in three years, things may be different, If his level drops, or an exciting young goalkeeper emerges, it could change things very quickly.

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