Borussia Dortmund - Barcelona live online stats, score and updates | League phase Champions League
Live: Borussia Dortmund - Barcelona
Another Barcelona change. This time it's Lamine Yamal coming off, replaced by Gavi.
A more combative option for Hansi Flick.
Time is running out for Dortmund but Barcelona are giving them chances, this high line looks vulnerable to the pace for Bynoe-Gittens and Donny Malen.
Dortmund just need one more good opening.
Has Ferran Torres come off the bench to save the three points?
He's only been on the field for 15 minutes but Ferran Torres has scored twice and Barcelona lead 3-2. What a substitution from Hansi Flick!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAL! Ferran Torres
Sensational! Brilliant from Lamine Yamal, bringing it forward and slipping a pass through to Ferran Torres who rifled the ball into the bottom corner.
The corner kick is rebuffed and Barcelona are back on the attack.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has space on the left again, combining with Rami Bensebaini neatly. The latter sprints forward and wins his team a corner kick.
The whole of the Signal Iduna Park is on its feet now, inspired by the fight shown by this Dortmund team. The Yellow Wall is bouncing, urging their team forward in the final minutes.
Barcelona will continue to dominate the possession statistics in the final stages but Dortmund are causing real problems on the break now. The pace of Bynoe-Gittens and Guirassy is catching the Barca backline out and creating chances.
Into the final ten minutes, this is anyone's game! What drama we've had at Signal Iduna Park.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Serhou Guirassy
Told you! Dortmund break the Barcelona offside trap and Pascal Gross squares the ball to Serhou Guirassy to stroke into an empty net.
We're level again!
Barcelona may lead but this game is far from over.
How did Guirassy miss that?!
Brilliant run down the left from Bynoe-Gittins, who fires in a dangerous cross. Serhou Guirassy connects with his head but can't hit the target with the goal gaping.
If that was on target, he'd have scored!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL! Ferran Torres
Just minutes after coming on, the Spaniard is on the spot to poke home after a good save from Gregor Kobel.
Barcelona lead again!
For Barcelona, it's Ferran Torres filling the central striker's role but he's doing so with a lot more fluidity than Lewandowski had managed.
With so many changes in a short space of time, it'll be interesting to see which team can adapt fastest to the switch of personnel.
Nuri Sahin responds with a double change.
Duranville and Gio Reyna come off. Donny Malen and Pascal Gross replace them.
Slightly strange changes from Hansi Flick. The decision to substitute Raphinha, in particular, was not expected.
Their next game is against Leganes on Sunday night.
Triple change for Barca. It's Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres coming on.
Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski are replaced.
Huge save from Gregor Kobel!
Swift break from Barcelona with Kounde down the right. He finds Raphinha in the middle, who plays it back to Olmo.
First Olmo and then Lewandowski find their path to goal blocked by Kobel and the Dortmund defenders.
Reyna slips a ball through to Guirassy in the Barcelona box but he can't bring it down. Dortmund are making things happen now.
Barcelona are readying their first subs of the game.
That goal has given Dortmund more confidence. The ball is worked out to Duranville on the right but he can't keep it, Barcelona taking the chance to charge forwards.
This game is getting pretty stretched now.
Barcelona look a little shell-shocked, misplacing a few passes and giving away free kicks. Frustration is starting to kick in for Hansi Flick's side.
There's a real atmosphere around the stadium now. A promising start to the second half was a sign of intent and the hosts are deservedly level.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL! Serhou Guirassy
The big striker coolly slots the spot kick into the bottom corner and Borussia Dortmund are level!
It's Serhou Guirassy who steps up to take it...
Pau Cubarsi
The Barcelona defender was the one in contact with Guirassy but there didn't seem to be much to it.
Penalty to Borussia Dortmund!
Sehrou Girassy takes a tumble in the middle and the referee points to the spot!
Yan Couto
The halftime sub is booked from breaking up a promising Barcelona counter-attack.
Jinking run from Raphinha down the left flank, cutting inside and trying a clever reverse pass to Dani Olmo. It doesn't quite find the intended target but it's more incisive play from Raphinha.
Well, that's a real blow for Dortmund after dominating the early stages of the second half. They looked to have made a conscious decision to push forward and they have been ruthlessly punished.
Decision - GOAL!
Yep, Raphinha stayed the right side of Emre Can when making his run. Brilliant play from the Brazilian.
VAR check - Potential offside
That decision will be checked, it was very tight. Looked like Raphinha timed his run perfectly.
GOOOOOAAAAAAALLL! Raphinha
Lightening-quick break from Barcelona and the captain finishes brilliantly past Gregor Kobel.
Barcelona lead!
Long ball forward from Schlotterbeck looking for Julien Duranville, but it's slightly overhit. They are clearly looking for the youngster already.
Felix Nmecha
The Dortmund man is booked after clipping Pedri near the touchline. A bit soft, but Nmecha's reaction to the decision probably didn't help.
A slick Dortmund move finds Serhou Guirassy in the middle to fire home but the flag is up!
There was an offside in the build-up.
Dortmund look more willing to play out from the back at the start of the second half, playing through the Barcelona press bravely.
Positive start from Dortmund who are clearly looking to attack out wide. There's space for Duranville to run at Balde but he takes a loose touch and it rolls out of play.
Gio Reyna loses the ball close to his own goal and Barcelona have a chance to break. Heroic defending from Nico Schlotterbeck to stop their advance.
And we're back!
Dortmund get the second half underway...
Dortmund and Barcelona level at the break
There's been chances for both teams in the opening 45 minutes. Barcelona have managed to dominate the ball but the Dortmund widemen - Julien Duranville and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens - have made things happen on the flanks, regularly getting balls into the Barcelona box with quality.
Barcelona with 70% of the first half possession.
That's about how it's looked at Signal Iduna Park so far, plenty of touches for the visitors and some profligate finishing from the hosts. Most importantly, however, it's still goalless and both teams will be thinking that they can take a big step towards the knockout rounds with a win.
Action-packed first half in Dortmund - Barcelona.
It's been an exciting opening 45 minutes with chances for both teams. Barcelona had the more of the ball but Dortmund may actually have had the clearer of the chances, particularly two that fell to Marcel Sabitzer and Serhue Guirassy. On both occasions, they couldn't even hit the target.
Halftime at Signal Iduna Park.
That Guirassy chance was the final act of a pulsating first half. All square at the break.
Late opportunity for Borussia Dortmund!
Huge chance for Guirassy as the ball lands at his feet in the box but his weak effort drifts wide of the post. He had to hit the target there!
Barcelona come forward against with Raphinha but the captain loses possession as he approaches the Dortmund box.
Marcel Sabitzer
The Dortmund midfielder is booked for kicking the ball away in frustration after not getting a decision.
Huge appeals for a Dortmund penalty. Another break down the left finds Bensebaini, who curls in a cross. It's heading towards Guirassy in the middle but he takes a tumble, claiming that he got a shove from Martinez.
It looked a bit soft. Referee says no.
That Dortmund chance ramps up the noise from the home crowd.
Incredible save form Inaki Pena!
Gio Reyna clips in a cross from the left and finds Guirassy, who connects well with the header at the back post. Brilliant reaction stop from Inaki Pena in the Barcelona goal to keep the effort out.
Dortmund have worked hard to keep Barcelona at bay, reducing the hosts to ambitious passes and speculative shots from distance. It's worked so far, but you suspect that one of these effort will end up in the back of the net before too long.
Nuri Sahin will be eager to see his team test the Barcelona backline a bit more.
Ten minutes to go in the first half. Can either team find the breakthrough?
Julian Ryerson is down after a clash with Lewandowski. It wasn't intentional from the Barca striker but he seemed to clip Ryerson.
The corner is played short and eventually worked to Pedri, who flights in a teasing cross from the right. It take a deflection on the way through and goes out for a Barca throw-in on the far side.
Clever link-up play between Yamal and Kounde as they dart into the Dortmund box. The hosts manage to stop their progress but concede a corner kick.
More good work from Julien Duranvilla on the right, pulling the ball back to Reyna on the edge of the Barcelona box. The USMNT youngster takes aim but his shot is deflected wide.
But wait, the assistant's flag is up for an offside in the build-up. Free kick Barca.
Chance for Dortmund to break with Guirassy on the left flank. He bursts forward and tries to find a teammate in the box but his cross is woefully overhit.
That was a wasted opening for the hosts.
Barcelona have dominated the ball in the opening 25 minutes but there have been chances for both teams so far. In fact, the best of the opportunities fell to Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
Brilliant work from Julien Duranville, winning the ball back in his own half and then skipping past Pedri and Raphinha. He is eventually skips and wins him team a free kick on the halfway line.
The 18-year-old has looked good so far.
Moment of inspiration nearly opens the scoring for Barcelona.
Lamine Yamal, doing Lamine Yamal things. As they say.
Dani Olmo tries to lift a clever ball over the Dortmund backline and into the path of Lewandowski. It's a little overhit and it skips away from the Pole.
Strong running from Kounde to advance into the Dortmund box but he can't find a teammate in the middle. The loose ball falls at the feet of Yamal but his strike is pushed wide from Kobel.
Barcelona wrestle to regain control of the game, which has become a bit stretched in the last few minutes. That suits Dortmund, who will have greater chance to hit Barca on the break.
Sabitzer skies huge chance!
Brilliant work from 18-year-old Julien Duranville to beat his man and pull a ball back across the face of the Barcelona goal. Sabitzer is there to meet it but his right-footed effort curls over the crossbar.
He had to score!
Can Serhou Guirassy continue UCL form?
He's no Robert Lewandowski, but Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy has proved his quality in the Champions League this season. With four goals and two assists from six UCL games, the Guinean has done well for Nuri Sahin.
Sensational from Lamine Yamal!
The youngster receives the ball on the right and flights a brilliant, outside-of-the-left pass into the on-rushing Raphinha in the middle. It's an inch-perfect pass but Raphinha's effort drifts just wide of the post.
Nearly the breakthrough!
Good recovery defending from Emre Can to cut out a long ball forward towards Raphinha on the left flank. The Brazilian would've been one-on-one without that intervention.
Dortmund are committing to a high press so far, looking to disrupt the Barca build-up. It's working sometimes, but is also making them easy to play through if it fails.
Good spell of attacking play from Barcelona, Dani Olmo at the middle of it all. Eventually the ball is worked to Yamal on the edge of the box and he tries his luck.
The curling, right-footed effort is easily saved by Kobel.
Big chance for Marcel Sabitzer.
A clipped ball over the top finds Guirassy running in behind the Barca backline. He plays a clever pass to Sabitzer who sees his close range shot saved.
The assistant's flag is up, but that was promising from Dortmund.
The corner kick is worked short to Lamine Yamal but the 17-year-old fires the ball over the crossbar from 25 yards out. Goal kick to Dortmund.
First show of class from Yamal, holding off the challenge and skipping forward on the right flank. He finds Dani Olmo and the No. 20 wins his team a corner kick.
Barcelona starting to look a bit more assured on the ball now. Loud whistles from the home crowd as the visitors knock the ball around coolly on the halfway line.
Brilliant turn from Dani Olmo in the midfield gets Barcelona moving forward. The ball is worked out to Balde, who whips the ball across the face of goal.
Lewandowski stretches, but can't quite reach it. So close to an opener.
First touch for Lamine Yamal but he sees nothing but yellow shirts ahead of him. The 17-year-old turns back and recycles possession.
The corner kick is deflected out for a Barcelona goal kick. Dortmund press the LaLiga giants from the off, not allowing them to play out from the back.
Proactive start for Borussia Dortmund, who win a corner kick within seconds of the start.
The noise gets a little louder...
And we're off!
Barcelona get things underway at SIgnal Iduna Park...
And the Borussia Dortmund team...
Plenty of talented youth in the Dortmund starting XI...
The teams are out!
Huge roar as Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona emerge onto the turf at Signal Iduna Park. It's a meeting of two of European soccer's heavyweight sides, with plenty of history in this competition.
Who will come out on top today?
Can Robert Lewandowski haunt former team?
It was at Borussia Dortmund that Robert Lewandowski first became one of the world's most coveted forwards, hitting 74 goals in 131 Bundesliga games for the club. He won it all with Bayern Munich and has continued his incredible scoring record at Barcelona, with whom he returns this evening.
Lewandowski has started the season with 23 goals in 22 games, showing that the 36-year-old is not slowing down.
This is the first year in this new, expanded Champions League format so we don't really know how many points will be needed to advance. However, a supercomputer has ran the projections and come up with some expected boundaries for teams hoping to make it through...
Borussia Dortmund ready for Barcelona test.
Barcelona made an incredible start to the 2024/25 season, although they have slipped up in recent weeks, remain one of the toughest opponents in world soccer. Dortmund have a good recent history in the Champions League and will be eager to pick up a famous win over Barca.
"They press very high, have clear procedures when pressing and counter pressing," Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin said: "Nonetheless, we will be courageous. We will not change our philosophy. We want to play out from the back cleanly. If you only play long balls, the ball comes back more quickly than you can imagine."
Speaking of the 'Yellow Wall', you may have seen images of the incredible fan display with the words ‘Echte Liebe’ on show. Here's a look at what it means...
Incredible atmosphere inside Signal Iduna Park.
We're still 25 minutes away from kickoff in Dortmund but already the famed 'Yellow Wall' is in full force. On a Champions League night, there are few more animating venues in all of Europe.
The teams are out at Signal Iduna Park.
The players of Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona take to the field on a chilly December evening. Level in the Champions League standings with 12 points apiece, a victory for either team this evening would all-but book their place in the knockout phase of the competitions.
One to watch: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Still only 17 years old, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is genuinely among the very best players in the world. The mercurial winger is a dynamic presence on the right flank but also boasts real ingenuity and creativity that belies his age.
Barcelona's struggles without him at points during the season only serve to highlight how crucial the teenage has become to Hansi Flick's team.
One to watch: Jamie Byroe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund)
The 20-year-old Englishman has been known as a talent for years but in recent months he has established himself as one of the Bundesliga's most explosive attacking players. Speaking after this sensational solo goal in Der Klassiker against Bayern Munich, Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin described him as "fantastic".
"You need 1-on-1 players who have speed. He's maturing in his game. We talk a lot about risk and reward. When do I go into the 1-on-1, when do I prepare for it? When he gets rolling, he's a fantastic player. He's also made huge strides defensively," Sahin said.
Ronald Araujo back in the squad for Barcelona.
Ronald Araujo has been one of Barcelona's top performers in recent years but a hamstring tendon injury suffered while on international duty has kept him sidelined for months. Aruajo picked up the injury with Uruguay at the summer's Copa America and underwent surgery in July.
Finally, Araujo is back in the matchday squad for Barcelona.
Hansi Flick spoke about the boost that Araujo gives his squad: “We are very happy that Ronald is back. He's a player you enjoy seeing in training sessions, he gives his all, and passes that energy on to his teammates. It's important that we don't run any risk with him.”
This is the first year of the new Champions League format, with all 36 teams included in a giant 'league phase' table. Here's a look at what's needed to progress in the new system...
Barcelona in the house.
The five-time European champions can essentially book their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League with a win this evening but it won't be easy against a highly-motivated Borussia Dortmund side. After blitzing through the early weeks of the LaLiga season Barcelona have hit a wall, winning just one of their last five league fixtures.
Their record in the Champions League remains in impressive but Hansi Flick will be hoping that the recent wobble doesn't affect their European ambitions.
Who is Julien Duranville for Borussia Dortmund?
The big news for the home team is that 18-year-old Belgian striker Julien Duranville starts up front. He has made just five Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund but is given a chance against Barcelona today, playing under the lights on a European night at Signal Iduna Park.
Superstar front three start for Barcelona.
Hansi Flick is able to name his first-choice attacking trio against Borussia Dortmund, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha playing either side of the evergreen Robert Lewandowski. With the likes of Pedri and Dani Olmo also included in the starting XI, this is an adventurous team named by Flick.
And here's the Borussia Dortmund starting XI!
Nuri Sahin spoke of the need for his team to up their game as they take on "a very good opponent with an extraordinary coach." Here's the team to face Barcelona...
Nuri Sahin enjoying the challenge in charge of Borussia Dortmund.
Former Borussia Dortmund star was Nuri Sahin was named head coach over the summer and has not been an instant success on the touchline. Dortmund are down in sixth in the Bundesliga but have impressed in the Champions League, where Sahin has managed to rouse his team for the big occasion. He'll be hoping for another big performance today against Barcelona.
"It is a special match for me to play against Barcelona in the Champions League as the coach of Borussia Dortmund," said Sahin ahead of the game. "But every Champions League match is special. Being a coach at this level should never be regarded as normal."
Can Raphinha fire Barcelona to success?
Brazilian forward Raphinha took a bit of time to adapt after making the move from Leeds United to Barcelona two summers ago. But now that he's settled, the 27-year-old can claim to be one of Europe's form players. He's scored 16 goals and provided 10 assists in 22 games so far this season, an astonishing record.
Clash of the titans in the Champions League.
The immovable force vs the unstoppable object.
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski comes up against his former team again today. This should be a good one.
The big news for Barcelona is the fitness of Lamine Yamal, who has suffered a few niggles in recent months. With him in the team Barca always look like a more dangerous proposition and they will look to take advantage of an often-leaky Borussia Dortmund defence.
Champions League fixture schedule for Wednesday, December 11.
Here's a full look at today's UCL schedule. There's plenty to look forward to but we'll be concentrating on Borussia Dortmund - Barcelona.
Flick backs Barcelona to bounce back.
“It's normal for there to be the odd setback. I really trust the team. Every training session I see how committed the team are and how the players are progressing, they are very young, every day."
"We played some very good games against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, or at the start of the season against other teams, when we have shown we can do great things."
Barcelona arrive at Signal Iduna Park.
The Spanish giants face a tough test in Dortmund, taking on a team that have won four of their first five games in this season's Champions League.
“We should try to show maturity as a team," Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said ahead of the game. "We should start games with conviction. We will do better in games if we do that.”
This is the first year of the newly-expanded Champions League format and we're still getting to grips with the rejuvenated tournament. Here's a quick look at the financial rewards on offer for teams based on their 'league phase' performance...
Final UCL home fixture for Borussia Dortmund this year.
The visit of Barcelona is the final Champions League game of the year for Dortmund, a year that has seen them battle their way to the peak of European club soccer. They upset the odds to make it through to the final of the 2023/24 Champions League, eventually losing to Real Madrid.
They have made a promising start to this season, too, and would dearly like to close out the year's competition with another statement win.
Barcelona prepare for Borussia Dortmund challenge.
There are few more intimidating venues in European soccer that Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park on a Champions League night. That's the venue for our focus game today: Borussia Dortmund - Barcelona
Both teams have picked up 12 points from their first five UCL fixtures this year, giving them a good chance of progressing to the knockout rounds. Victory tonight, for either team, would set them on the path to a top eight finish and avoid the additional play-in games in the new year.
Here's our full matchday coverage...