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Exactly 20 years later, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid cross paths again in Europe. It was a group fixture then, it's a group fixture now. Except, it's more exciting and open contest (on paper at least), this time around. The Yellow Submarine are on a frightening run of form, scoring 22 times in the last five games in all competitions, whereas the Rojiblancos are, as always, the dark horses to watch out.
Both sides are favourite to progress through the group and so far, have picked up the maximum points from previous fixtures as it's written on the tin. However, this is a clash billed as a decider for the winners of Group A; an unstoppable force colliding with an immovable object. Fireworks are guaranteed.
Ahead of the intriguing encounter, let's look at a combined XI featuring the stars of Dortmund and Atletico:
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki
Make no mistake: Jan Oblak is a world-class goalkeeper (probably among the top five best in the world) and would conveniently walk into any team. But it's just that Roman Burki is currently enjoying a purple patch in the nets and that's too hard to ignore. He's also maintained two clean sheets from as many games for Dortmund in this competition (Oblak has none) whilst also pulling off eight stops to the Slovenian's three.
That's mainly because the Atletico No.1 has a great defence ahead of him, while Burki doesn't exactly enjoy that luxury. Yet, he's come up trumps everytime he's tested and is one of the instrumental reasons behind Dortmund's barnstorming start to the campaign. The Swiss shot-stopper will prove to be a tough nut for Griezmann and the likes to crack.
Right-back: Lukasz Piszczek
The Polish fullback has been around the Dortmund block for almost a decade now, but his position in the teams remains unquestionable. He's 33 now, but still the managers opt to go with him for most of the important games which actually speaks volumes about the quality of the player.
Piszczek has played only five times out of nine in the Bundesliga but regardless has managed to post incredible figures of 4.4 clearances and three tackles per game average. He started in both the Champions League games too, helping Dortmund to a pair of clean sheets with his defensive nous.
Centre-back: Abou Diallo
Dortmund's €28 million outlay on an inconspicuous French youngster perhaps fell through the cracks, but Diallo is making sure everyone's taking note of him now. Manager Lucien Favre has started him in every league so far, and the 22-year old has barely put a wrong foot forward. He has anchored the defence with great tenacity, while his ability to sniff out danger has seen him average almost five clearances per game.
What's more, he's got a goal to his name too! Diallo doesn't fear coming raging out of his position and pivot on the attack. His dribbling skills are one of the important facets of his game too, drawing comparisons with those of Eden Hazard. It would be great watching him go against the bullish Costa.
Centre-back: Diego Godin
With Jose Gimenez sustaining another thigh muscle injury, the onus is on Diego Godin to shut out a high-flying Dortmund attack. And the Uruguayan stalwart is not new to these tasks. He has headlined one of the best defences of Europe's modern football and shows no signs of stopping even at 32. A mortar to Atletico's brick.
Left-back: Lucas Hernandez
It isn't a name that's normally called out when the talk centres around Atletico Madrid, but Lucas Hernandez is undoubtedly a very important piece of Simeone's jigsaw. At least in the Champions League. He's managed to keep Felipe Luis waiting in the wings in the competition by starting ahead of him in both the games thus far, and is likely to retain his position here too.
The Frenchman possesses excellent passing range and also connects well with the forwards. He doesn't leave much space behind either, tracking back in time to demonstrate great positional awareness too.
Defensive midfielder: Rodri
Barely two months since returning to his parent club from Villarreal, Rodri has already become so crucial to his side. He's like the Casemiro of Atletico, bringing such balance to the team. And without him, the Colchoneros simply lose that equilibrium. Get this: they have conceded five goals without him on the field, and it was only after his introduction at half-time in the previous game that they were able to find rhythm and score a goal against Villarreal. He needs to start if Atletico were to dismantle Dortmund's cohesive attacking unit.
Right attacking winger: Jadon Sancho
Paco Alcacer isn't the only one turning heads at Dortmund, for an 18-year old Jadon Sancho too has impressed mightily and showed Manchester City what a gem they have let go. With six assists in seven games, he's currently the most prolific provider in the Bundesliga, and has also netted twice.
Sancho's versatility has enabled Favre to play him on either flank to almost equal success, whereas his impressive showings also earned him his first senior call-ups for England by Gareth Southgate.
Central attacking midfielder: Marco Reus
Players have come and gone, but Marco Reus has stuck around and now he's been promoted as the club captain. The 29-year-old seems to be thriving in his added responsibility with five goals and three assists in the league to make a fine start to the new season. He has a goal and an assist in the Champions League too. His partnership with Alcacer has heralded a new attacking combo and together, are setting Dortmund's campaign alight.
Left attacking winger: Koke
Koke has taken to new responsibilities on the wing quite smoothly, and that's some saying given the number of players who struggled to adapt to Simeone's change of style. Despite moving away from his preferred central midfield, there hasn't been a depreciation in his performance.
He got Atletico's season off to a flyer with his determined and selfless display in the 4-2 Supercup win over Real Madrid, while critics have praised his incomprehensible work-rate. He runs, runs and just runs, covering every blade of grass and also ensuring Atletico don't miss a beat. To top it up, Koke also has a goal and an assist in the Champions League.
Striker: Antoine Griezmann
Having led France to the World Cup glory in the summer, Griezmann has returned languid and out of sorts. He has scored only twice in the league so far, but bagged a brace against Club Brugge in the last Champions League game. However, those are the only pair of strikes he's mustered in the last nine games in all competitions!
Los Rojiblancos would plausibly be worried about this ahead of a tough fixture, especially given Diego Costa is only returning from an injury. But you never know when the Frenchman might pop up with a goal or two. Plus, he's the man for the big occasions as time and again, he has produced the goods for his team whenever circumstances demanded. Write him off at your own peril.
Striker: Paco Alcacer
There's a similarly apprehensive atmosphere engulfing the Signal Iduna Park as in-form striker Alcacer is doubtful after being taken off at half-time on Saturday. The Spaniard is a man reborn this season, scoring 7 times in just 4 league appearances. But what makes it all the more impressive is that he started only one of those four games!
This barnstorming run includes an amazing treble against Augsburg in a 4-3 thriller, whilst also netting against Monaco in the Champions League on matchday two. If he's deemed fit enough to even make it to the bench for this clash, then there's real hope for the hosts; for Alcacer would be nothing like what Atletico have faced so far this season.
