Dortmund 0-0 Barcelona: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Ter Stegen Penalty Heroics Deny Hosts

Borussia Dortmund might be used to having the majority of the ball in the Bundesliga, but Lucien Favre’s side wisely didn’t try to match Barcelona at their own game on Tuesday.

The Black and Yellows looked to stay compact and frustrate the visitors when Barça were in possession, something made possible by Mats Hummels, but it was how Borussia Dortmund transitioned from attack into defence which was their biggest threat throughout the match.

With Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus and Thorgan Hazard supporting Paco Alcácer, Dortmund’s quick one-touch passing worked wonders by exploiting areas of the pitch that were open after long spells of possession for Barcelona.

Even when Barça were able to hold onto the ball for long periods of time, the visitors were being forced to work a lot more than they’re used to in La Liga due to Borussia Dortmund’s pressing, something which made midfield maestro Arthur visibly tired even before the break.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Burki (6); Hakimi (7), Akanji (7), Hummels (9*), Guerreiro (6); Witsel (8), Delaney (6), Reus (7); Sancho (8), Hazard (7), Alcacer (6).

Substitutes: Brandt (6), Bruun Larsen (6), NAME (6).

Star Man

If anyone was still unsure about Borussia Dortmund’s decision to re-sign Mats Hummels from Bayern Munich during the summer, then his performance against Barcelona did more than enough to leave no one sitting on the fence.

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The 30-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong in the first-half, breaking up attacks with perfectly timed tackles and turning over possession with smart interceptions, something which then allowed him to showcase his fantastic ability on the ball. 

Dortmund’s attacking players proved once again that they’ve got what it takes to go toe to toe with European football’s best, but Hummels’ performance highlighted the club’s one biggest improvement from last season.

Barcelona

Key Talking Point

Despite growing as the match went on, Barcelona didn’t have their first clear chance of the match until after half-time, while their hosts had already created a number of opportunities and even won themselves a penalty.

It was clear that Borussia Dortmund had the wind in their sails and although Lionel Messi’s introduction for the first time this season helped to bring a touch more balance to the game, it was at the other end of the pitch where Barcelona’s real superstar was on Tuesday.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ter Stegen (8*); Semedo (6), Pique (7), Lenglet (6), Alba (6); Arthur (7), Busquets (7), de Jong (7); Fati (7), Suarez (6), Griezmann (7).

Substitutes: Roberto (6), Messi (7), Rakitic (6).

Star Man

For all of Barcelona’s match-winning players, it was actually Marc-André ter Stegen who stepped up to be counted for at the Westfalenstadion.

A strong first-half performance saw the best chances of the game thwarted, but the Germany international saved his best moment(s) for after the break, keeping Marco Reus out from the penalty spot before denying Dortmund’s came a few more times as the game went on.

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Looking Ahead

Borussia Dortmund should have the edge when Bundesliga football returns this weekend with an extra 48 hours rest compared to Eintracht Frankfurt, who face Arsenal on Thursday.

Barcelona should find things a little more straight forward on Saturday, however, as they face Granada at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes.