Borussia Dortmund held to scoreless draw by AC Milan in Champions League
Borussia Dortmund picked up their first point in UEFA Champions League Group F following a scoreless draw against AC Milan at the Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 AC Milan
Dortmund lost to Paris Saint-Germain in their first game in the section, but they welcomed Milan to the Signal Iduna Park boasting a solid home record in the Champions League. The Black-and-Yellows were beaten just once in their previous 15 games in the tournament's group stages and the hosts were also buoyed by a weekend win at Hoffenheim. Despite that, it was seven-time European champions Milan who made the brighter start to this encounter. When Tommaso Pobega had efforts blocked out by Mats Hummels and Salih Özcan, BVB sparked into life. Donyell Malen went close with a shot that narrowly missed the targe,t while Mike Maignan then smartly saved from Niclas Füllkrug. At the other end, Olivier Giroud went close after the hosts failed to clear from a corner, before Ramy Bensebaini again found Maignan in top form.
Christian Pulisic once set Dortmund's stadium alight with some spectacular performances during the USMNT international's successful stay in Germany. Now kitted out in Milan's colours, however, the American had local hearts in mouths when he spun and shot at goal, forcing Gregor Kobel into a fine save to rescue the hosts. Eager to get in on the action having recently penned a contract extension at Dortmund, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens was subbed on for Malen and almost made an immediate impact. The England youth international moved in from the left before firing at goal and looked on as his effort flew over the crossbar. Samuel Chukwueze and Tijjani Reijnders could have won it at the death for the Rossoneri, but Dortmund survived to take a point that nonetheless leaves them playing catch-up at the bottom of the group with a trip to section leaders Newcastle to come on 4 October.
Match stats
Dortmund have now lost just one of their 16 group games at home in the Champions League since the start of 2018/19 (W9, D6).
Milan’s Pulisic made his 50th Champions League appearance (the first 22 were for Borussia), which is twice as many as any other American (former Schalke midfielder Weston McKennie, 24).
Die Schwarzgelben are one of only two German teams to have beaten Milan in the Champions League, winning 1-0 in Dortmund in March 2003. The other was Hertha Berlin in October 1999.
That 2002/03 campaign was the only previous time Dortmund and AC met in the Champions League. Each team won their home game 1-0 in the second group stage as Milan went on to lift the trophy.
The previous year, Borussia had beaten the Rossoneri 4-0 at home in the first leg of the UEFA Cup semis to advance to the final.
Champions League Group F, Matchday 2 Group F, Matchday 2 Signal Iduna Park
90'
+ 3
Full time
Dortmund survive a late scare to pick up their first point in Group F. The result leaves the hosts bottom of the section with a game against section leaders Newcastle United to follow on 4 October.
89'
Time added on
There will be three minutes added to the end of the game.
89'
Almost Milan!
That's a let off for Dortmund. Kobel denies Chukwueze and the ball breaks for Reijnders who can only send the follow-up wide.
86'
Moukoko on
Youssoufa Moukoko is coming on to replace Füllkrug for the closing stages.
Oooh, that would really have set the cat among the pigeons had Christian Pulisic scored! The former BVB man spins and shoots at the target, forcing Gregor Kobel to parry.
49'
Özcan alert
Rafael Leão looks to send a cross into the Dortmund area but Özcan is there to block. Milan have started this second half half brightly.
46'
Away we go again
The second half is underway in Dortmund.
45'
Half time
No goals at the break following an eventful first half at the Signal Iduna Park.
45'
Visitors attack
Milan mount an attack right before the half-time whistle but neither Pobega nor Hernández can make successive chances count and we're headed towards the break.
42'
Home fans on their feet
BVB's supporters are on their feet as Bensebaini smacks a volley goalwards. It looks to be going in until Maignan comes to Milan's rescue.
39'
Giroud has a pop
It's Milan's turn to attack and when a visiting corner is only half cleared, the ball comes back in for Giroud who can only shoot over the crossbar. Big chance that.
36'
BVB go close
Solid work from Emre Can who sends a ball into the centre for Julian Brandt. The Dortmund player looks to connect with an overhead kick but his effort flies over.
31'
Füllkrug denied
Füllkrug looks to test Maignan with a shot but the Milan keeper is equal to it. Shortly afterwards, Marco Reus sends a free kick wide of the target.
28'
Great chance, Malen
Dortmund probably should be in front here after Malen found space inside the area. The Dutch attacker could only spank his shot narrowly wide of the target, however,
25'
Can into the book
Emre Can looks bemused as the referee flashes a yellow card in the BVB captain's direction. It looked like Giroud wanted to take a quick free kick but sent the ball against Can's leg.
Former Dortmund favourite Christian Pulisic smacks in the corner which Malick Thiaw meets with a header at the target. That one's gone over the bar.
10'
Super start
There has been an entertaining start to this game at the Signal Iduna Park and you feel the hosts are just starting to get on top here.
7'
Here come Dortmund
The hosts pounce on an error and the ball suddenly breaks for Malen, who can't get his shot on target.
6'
Pobega again
Özcan this time blocks Pobega's shot as the visitors suddenly begin to look the busier of the teams.
5'
Chances at both ends
Marco Reus makes some space for himself on the edge of the Milan area but the former BVB captain can't get his shot away. Milan then mount a counter-attack, at the end of which Tommaso Pobega has an effort blocked by Hummels.
3'
Solid start BVB
The hosts are playing it about calmly as they look to settle into the game.
1'
Game on!
Away we go, then. Dortmund's first home Champions League game of the season is underway!
Stadium bouncing
What an atmosphere at the Signal Iduna Park! The Dortmund fans are in full voice as we await the teams for tonight's Champions League Group F encounter. Not long to go now!
0:29
Terzic on Marco Reus
"He's not our 'old man,' he's our 'good man,' BVB coach Edin Terzic said when asked about Marco Reus recently. Dortmund's experienced midfielder is all set for one more start in Black-and-Yellow against Italian giants Milan tonight.
Team news
The hosts are showing just one change to the side that started last weekend's victory against Hoffenheim with Emre Can returning to the set-up in place of Felix Nmecha. Niclas Füllkrug gets the nod ahead of Sebastien Haller in attack. Milan's line-up contains former BVB favourite Christian Pulisic while in-form forwards Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leão lead the line.
The Dortmund and Germany centre-forward (pictured centre) says: "At the moment, we have a mental strength, a will to win. We've shown that again and again in recent days. We want to build on that against AC Milan."
The Dortmund coach says: "At this level, no game will be easy. We imagined the game in Paris differently. We have our first home game and we want to get our first win. It will be a completely different game than Paris. We want to be more courageous in our off-the-ball work."
After reaching last season's Champions League final four, the Italian outfit have hit the ground running this campaign domestically. They currently sit joint-second in the table, behind leaders and city rivals Inter on goal difference only. They have produced strong displays to defeat Lazio and Roma, although the 5-1 loss to Inter in the derby will sting. Olivier Giroud is their top goalscorer thus far this term with four strikes, while Pulisic and Rafael Leão come next with three apiece.
Familiar faces
This match-up will pit Dortmund against one of their former players, Christian Pulisic. The USA international made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2016 and went on to score 19 goals in 127 appearances for the club before moving to Chelsea. Now in Milan following a summer transfer, the forward has three goals and one assist in seven Serie A games so far.
Füllkrug will be competing for a starting spot with Sébastien Haller, who has a stunning track record in this competitions with 11 goals in just 10 games. We took a look at what the two have to offer.
Dortmund team news
Despite a glut of injuries earlier in the campaign, Terzić will have close to a full squad to choose from for this clash. The only absentees are Marcel Sabitzer, Mateu Morey and Thomas Meunier, meaning Niclas Füllkrug could make his maiden Champions League start.
Head-to-head
Milan have a slight historical edge over Dortmund, having won three of their six encounters compared to the hosts' two. However, BVB were victorious in the last meeting between the two, a 2002/03 Champions League second group stage encounter, as Jan Koller's solitary goal clinch a 1-0 triumph. As such, Dortmund are just one of two German teams to beat Milan in the Champions League, alongside Hertha Berlin.
Since the start of 2018/19, Dortmund have lost just one of their 15 home group matches. They will be looking to put that run to their advantage here.
2:03
Watch: Dortmund defeat Hoffenheim
Last time out, Edin Terzić's men won 3-1 away at Hoffenheim, with Niclas Füllkrug amongst the goalscorers - that was his first goal for BVB.
Milan also looking for first win
The Rossoneri, meanwhile, drew 0-0 with Newcastle United during Matchday 1. Last year's semi-finalists impressed during the first half of that encounter, but were unable to clinch all three points at the San Siro.
Dortmund's bouncebackability?
Die Schwarzgelben kicked off this year's European adventure with a 2-0 defeat away at Paris Saint-Germain. Hardly the way they would have wanted to start, but they have the opportunity to redeem themselves in front of their own supporters.
2:31
Watch: Inside Signal Iduna Park
Dortmund's stunning home ground will host European football for the first time campaign upon Milan's visit.
Welcome along
Borussia Dortmund return to UEFA Champions League action against AC Milan at the Signal Iduna Park. Follow all of the build-up and live action right here!
