2019-20 Champions League group stage
Sep 17, 2019: BVB 0-0 Barcelona
Nov 27, 2019: Barcelona 3-1 BVB
Although both clubs consistently appear on the continental stage, they had to wait 22 years for their next meeting. Before the 2019-20 campaign was severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona competed in a Champions League group alongside Inter and Slavia Prague.
The first matchday saw Dortmund host Barcelona days after an emphatic 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. The attacking trio of Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho and Paco Alcácer asked many questions, but the man of the match was Marc-André ter Stegen.
In particular, the German goalie expertly saved Marco Reus’ penalty-kick just before the hour mark. It didn’t break Dortmund’s momentum as they created a host of chances, including the crossbar denying new signing Julian Brandt.
Barcelona, who only introduced Lionel Messi for the final 30 minutes, held on for a goalless draw. The story was different when they met again on the fifth matchday, however. Plighted by injuries, Lucien Favre used Nico Schulz and Achraf Hakimi as wingers, while Brandt played as a false 9.
Meanwhile, Ernesto Valverde had a fully-fit Messi by now. The Argentine was at the forefront with a goal sandwiched between assists to Luis Suárez and Antoine Griezmann in a confident 3-1 win for Barcelona. Coming off the bench, Sancho scored Dortmund’s solitary goal with a brilliant finish.
Already qualified from the group, the Catalans did a favor for Favre’s side by beating Inter on the final matchday. However, Dortmund were knocked out in the Round of 16 in the wake of a tie most remembered for PSG players making fun of Erling Haaland’s goal celebration.
READ MORE: Borussia Dortmund’s five most memorable UEFA Champions League moments