'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Borussia Dortmund host FC Barcelona in a crunch Champions League clash to open group F action at the Signal Iduna Park.
This is set to be the first official meeting between the sides in the competition. What adds more to this already tantalizing fixture is the whole host of stars in every area, calling for some amazing one-on-one battles.
Armed with some of the hottest talents, Dortmund are no longer pushovers. They're here to fight and as proved last season, can give the bigwigs a serious run for their money.
Barcelona too have made vital additions over the summer, most notably in the form of Antoine Griezmann, as the former champions desperately aim to reclaim European glory.
This game would a precursor to which direction these teams are headed this season. On that note, here's how Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona would line up in a star-studded combined XI (formation: 4-1-3-2):
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
To choose between Roman Burki and Ter Stegen is to choose between a rock and a hard place, for both have had tremendous influence on their respective sides in the recent campaigns. However, the German gets the nod over his Swiss counterpart here as he's had a bigger impact in the Champions League.
Ter Stegen registered six clean sheets in the competition last season in 12 appearances, joint-highest with Liverpool's Alisson. However, it was in the league where he shone the brightest.
He's yet to keep a clean sheet this season, but what better occasion to get his first? The 27-year-old has had his moments against Dortmund before, when he plied his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. He will be looking to replicate the same here.
Also check out:Premier League Table La Liga Table Champions League Schedule
Right-back: Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund)
Real Madrid flop Achraf Hakimi realized his potential upon joining Borussia Dortmund last year, as he had a fantastic campaign. He was not only solid defensively, but also showed tremendous drive and will to move forward and add an extra edge to the attack.
Mind you, he's already opened his account for the new season.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Now in his 10th season with the Catalan behemoths, Gerard Pique remains an indispensable member of the squad. He's had his fair share of shambolic outings already this season, but he's known to step up in big games.
The 32-year-old is also a potent threat in deadball situations, as his towering stature allows him to weigh in with crucial headers. However, with Paco Alcacer in great form, he'd have his hands full.
Centre-back: Manuel Akanji (Borussia Dortmund)
Another unsung hero of Dortmund's renaissance last season, Akanji proved to be a valuable addition for the Yellow Submarine. He was a leader at the back, always peeling his side off the ground with his unflinching spirit.
Even the most menacing strikers in the league had a hard time getting past him. Akanji could well give the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez a real run for their money.
Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Ever since Neymar left, Jordi Alba has been enjoying some of his most creative days - he has assisted a higher number of times (28) since the start of 2017-18 campaign than he did in the previous four combined. Alba's interventions would be crucial in unlocking Dortmund's stoic defense.
Defensive midfielder: Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund)
Axel Witsel was easily one of the signings of last season. He seamlessly slotted in at the heart of Dortmund's midfield and quickly turned into an instrumental figure in the squad.
The Belgian is both combative and industrious, whilst also an excellent passer of the ball. His penchant to break forward at will has also seen him register two assists in the league this term.
Attacking midfielder: Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Dortmund skipper Marco Reus is enjoying some of his best days with Der BVB, and has also started the new season on a fine note. He struck twice in the weekend's 4-0 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen, boosting his confidence ahead of the big game.
Reus has been on target against all the big sides he's faced with Dortmund over the years, and he now has a chance to add Barcelona to his ever-growing list of major scalps.
Right winger: Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
One of the brightest young talents in the football circuit right now, Sancho's hot streak of assists show no signs of subsiding - he's got five of them already in the league this term. Quick, athletic, vigilant and insanely skilled, Sancho can be a huge menace to the Barcelona backline that has conceded seven times in four league games.
Left winger: Antoine Griezmann (Borussia Dortmund)
Tactically, Griezmann is likely going to partner Luis Suarez upfront for Barcelona in the actual game; he's only a left winger here to accommodate more players in this line-up.
The Frenchman is still adjusting to life at Barcelona; his brace against Real Betis is the only notable piece of action from the €120 million summer signing so far.
This is set to be his toughest outing yet with the Blaugrana, and Griezmann knows a thing or two about the opposition having lost 4-0 here just a year ago with Atletico Madrid.
Striker: Paco Alcacer (Borussia Dortmund)
Spain's Paco Alcacer has started the new campaign from where he left last time - with a glut of goals. Get this: Alcacer has been on target in all the eight games for club and country so far this season, including an impressive return of five goals in the league alone.
He'd be licking his lips at the prospect of adding to his tally against his former colleagues.
Striker: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Barcelona were served a pre-match boost as the Argentine ace returned to training this week. Even though he is in contention to start in Dortmund, Lionel Messi hasn't played a single minute in the new season and that could mean he starts on the bench.
If he indeed forces his way into Ernesto Valverde's XI, this would be a great opportunity for Messi to tick another venue off his list as he's never scored at the Signal Iduna Park before.
