Real Madrid travelled to Germany this evening as they attempted to make it nine points from three Champions League Group D clash against Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund.
The German outfit took the lead 10 minutes before the break when Robert Lewandowski produced a cool finish inside the box, but Madrid were level two minutes later when Cristiano Ronaldo found the net.
Dortmund secured the three points after 64 minutes when Marcel Schmelzer found the bottom corner from close range. The result means that Dortmund have ended a run of six homeless wins against Spanish opposition.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good evening all! We returned to Champions League action yesterday and what a Tuesday of football it was. Celtic suffered a last-minute defeat at the Nou Camp, while Manchester United recovered from two goals behind to beat Braga 3-2. But now our focus switches to the so-called 'Group of Death'.
Dortmund started their Champions League group campaign with a 1-0 win over Ajax in Germany. Meanwhile, they secured a point in a pulsating encounter with Manchester City last time out. Although anyone that saw the match will know that the German outfit had enough chances to win 10 games of football.
Madrid, meanwhile, opened their campaign with an extraordinary 3-2 victory over Manchester City before recording a comfortable 4-1 win over Ajax in Holland. Victory for either side this evening would put them in a commanding position at the mid-way point in the group stage.
Just a reminder that we are expecting the team news in around 15 minutes or so. No real surprises are expected for either side. All the big stars are available.
Let's take a look at how each side has fared domestically this season. Reigning Bundesliga champions Dortmund currently sit fourth in the table, some 12 points off leaders Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, they have managed just one win in their last six matches. Their most recent defeat came at the weekend to local rivals Schalke.
Meanwhile, Madrid have recovered from a slow start in La Liga to move into fourth spot in the table. But they also sit eight points off the early pace set by Barcelona and like Dortmund, have some way to go if they are to retain their domestic title.
The last time the two sides met was in a friendly match in August 2005 and Dortmund will not have happy memories of the encounter after losing 5-0 to the Spanish outfit. Meanwhile, as mentioned, Dortmund have won none of their last four home games against Spanish opposition.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze all start for Dortmund. We are still awaiting the team news for Madrid.
Teams:
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Kehl, Bender; Gotze, Reus, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski
Real Madrid: To follow
Madrid's recent record in the Champions League is quite remarkable. They have won 20 and lost just two of their last 27 fixtures in the competition and they have had more shots on target than any side in the tournament this season.
They also boast two players who love scoring in the Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo - who loves scoring anywhere truth be told - has 14 goals in his last 11 appearances in the competition. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema has 15 goals in his last 18 appearances in Europe's elite competition.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Michael Essien starts in defence for Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Sami Khedira returns to the midfield. Let's bring you the two teams in full.
Teams:
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Kehl, Bender; Gotze, Reus, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski
Madrid: Casillas; Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Essien; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema
So there we have it. Both teams have problems on the injury front. But it is Madrid that are extremely light in defence. Injuries to Alvaro Arbeloa, Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao has left them struggling in defensive areas. But the form of Ronaldo & Co has pulled them out of holes this season.
In terms of Dortmund's attacking personnel, Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus remain the two main threats. The former scored 30 goals in 47 games for the Bundesliga champions last season and has already registered five this season. Meanwhile, the talented Reus has six goals in nine games - including an impressive strike against Manchester City.
In terms of how this group is shaping up it would probably be fair to rule Ajax out of the equation. Manchester City face a double-header against the Dutch outfit and realistically need maximum points from those two games. If the Premier League champions can do just that, then they will be on the heels of Dortmund and Madrid.
If I had to call it, I think that City will miss out on a spot in the next round for the second consecutive season. Roberto Mancini's side still have to travel to Dortmund and host Madrid, games which I cannot see them winning. Looking ahead to tonight, both Dortmund and Madrid would be happy with a point.
Right, we are just about 20 minutes from kickoff. It's time for my pre-match prediction. I am going for a 1-1 draw this evening. It is going to be one of those matches where the first goal is all-important.
Just a reminder that Manchester City travel to Ajax this evening in the other match in this group. We will keep you updated with that one. The business stage of the group is approaching.
Arsenal are also in action this evening as they play host to Schalke at the Emirates. Stay with Sports Mole as we bring you half-time and full-time reports for each match. Little under 15 minutes until kickoff.
Arsenal are also in action this evening as they play host to Schalke at the Emirates. Stay with Sports Mole as we bring you half-time and full-time reports for each match. Little under 15 minutes until kickoff.
Meanwhile, what must Luka Modric be thinking? He joined Madrid from Spurs for these type of games, but it has not really happened for him since making the move to Spain. He finds himself on the bench once more.
Here we go then. Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. The flags are in full use. The Germans love their football that is for certain.
Both sets of players emerge from the tunnel and join us on the pitch. Just a final reminder that Madrid top Group D with six points, while Dortmund sit second with four.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. German and Spanish domestic champions? Check. Let's get this wonderful Champions League occasion underway.
Here we go then. The referee tonight is Viktor Kassai. Madrid get us underway on this mild evening in Germany.
Decent start from Madrid as Essien searches out the run of Di Maria down the left, but the former's pass is just too long. Nice tempo to the match early on.
Thumping challenge from Kehl as he jumps into the back of Mesut Ozil. Mourinho was not happy with that tackle! It's Madrid who are dominating possession in the early stages.
The noise is deafening in the early stages of this one. Half-chance for Madrid as Ronaldo finds Ozil in the box, but the German just cannot make contact. All it needed was a touch.
Madrid continue to force the issue as they secure a couple of early corners, but Hummels twice thumps the danger clear. Dortmund simply cannot get out at the moment.
Really smart work from Madrid once more as Ozil picks up possession before dancing his way into the Dortmund box, but Subotic clears the danger. Nothing from the home side as an attacking threat thus far.
The players are slipping all over the place at the moment. Time to change those studs. The pitch is ever so wet from the rain. Madrid continue to dominate possession. They look so impressive.
First real bit of attacking intent from the home side as Lewandowski forces a corner, but Ramos is on hand to clear the danger. Dortmund need to start finding Reus and Gotze in attacking areas.
Dortmund threaten once more as Kehl strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but Casillas is on hand to collect the danger. Both sides are exchanging spells of possession at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Reus finds the head of Lewandowski in the box, but his header was always moving high of the crossbar. Good spell for the home side as we approach the 20-minute mark.
The home side are very much in the driving seat at the moment. It's another sighter for Dortmund as Lewandowski pounces in the box, but his effort is wide. Meanwhile, Luka Modric will soon join us on the pitch.
Sami Khedira has a real problem here. It looks like a hamstring. Luka Modric takes the place of the German international.
Update: Ajax 0-0 Manchester City. No luck for City thus far as they attempt to secure their first win of the group stages.
So nearly a chance for Madrid as Ronaldo finds the run of Ozil inside the box, but the ball just drifts out of play. The match is so delicately poised at the moment. Both sides are a threat.
It's wonderful feet from Di Maria as he dances into the penalty area before striking an effort towards goal, but his shot was over the crossbar. Mourinho did not seem too impressed with that!
Update: Ajax 0-1 Manchester City (Nasri). Big goal in the context of this group as City take the lead.
Madrid continue to pass and probe in the Dortmund half, but Di Maria just cannot find the run of Benzema. Both sides are attacking in spells at the moment.
Madrid have had 61% of the possession in the opening 26 minutes. That's massive away from home. It's another half-chance for the away side as Ronaldo picks up the ball inside the box, but his effort is wide.
Chance! Brilliant football from Dortmund as Gotze finds Kehl outside the box, but the skipper's effort is pushed over by Casillas. Top save.
Another sighter for Dortmund as Bender whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Casillas does his best superman impression to clear the danger. That was one for the cameras! Still 0-0 with 30 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for Madrid as Benzema finds Essien on the edge of the box, but his effort curls wide of the target. Meanwhile, the home supporters remain in good voice.
Nothing much to report in terms of chances in the past few minutes. Madrid are dominating possession, but they have not had enough shots on target as we approach the break.
Another half-chance for the away side as Di Maria searches out Ozil in the box, but the German just cannot gather. Madrid have completed 168 passes thus far.
GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Real Madrid (Lewandowski)
Wonderful from Dortmund as Lewandowski pounces onto a loose pass from Pepe to finish from close range. Brilliant from the Pole.
It was really poor defending from Pepe, you just cannot give Lewandowski that type of room. Mourinho will be fuming with that. Little over five minutes until the break.
GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
It's wonderful from Ronaldo as he latches onto an Ozil pass to chip into the corner of the net. Delightful finish from the Portuguese.
Well, the home side's lead did not last very long then? Both sides remain on the attack as we approach the break. It's a fine game at the moment.
So nearly another chance for the home side as Essien makes a mistake out wide, but this time Pepe does clear the danger. Meanwhile, Hummels clears a Ronaldo pass down the other end.
Update: Ajax 1-1 Manchester City (De Jong). Ajax level moments before the break against City. That could be a big goal.
Decent possession from the home side as we approach the break. However, no real chances in the past few moments. We will play an additional two minutes of football.
Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Goals from Lewandowski and Ronaldo leave us level at 1-1 at the interval. Madrid have had the majority of the possession, but they have failed to test Weidenfeller anywhere near enough.
Just a reminder that Ajax and Manchester City also remain level at the break. As it stands, Madrid would top the group with seven points, Dortmund would sit second with five and City would be third with two. Meanwhile, Ajax would have a singular point at the bottom of the table.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Madrid had 55% of the posssession, while they have had five shots to Dortmund's four. However, Madrid have managed just one shot on target.
What about the second period then? Di Maria has been poor for Madrid thus far and could be replaced. Meanwhile, we have not seen much from Reus and Gotze for the home side. The match is so delicately poised ahead of the second half.
Here we go then. Dortmund kick us off in the second period. I backed a 1-1 draw before the match. Will I be proved right for once?
Sloppy start to the second period from Madrid as Modric and Pepe both lose possession inside the opening two minutes. It still appears that some players are having some problems with the turf.
First yellow card of the match is handed to Ramos as he fells Gotze. It just had to be him! No real threat from either side in the early stages of the second half.
Smart work from Di Maria as he picks up possession before sliding a ball towards Benzema, but the Dortmund goalkeeper just collects the ball. It was nearly a wonderful pass.
Chance! Wonderful chance for Dortmund as Reus finds Gotze in the box, but Casillas makes a fine save to deny the German. The youngster should have scored.
Again Casillas makes a smart save to push a Reus effort around the post. Wonderful from the Spanish number one. Dortmund are forcing the issue at the moment.
Update: Ajax 2-1 Manchester City (Moisander). City trail in Holland! What a big night this could turn out to be.
Meanwhile, it's all Dortmund in the early stages of the second period. However, Madrid remain a threat on the counter attack.
Chance! Oh my word. So close for Madrid as Ronaldo finds Di Maria in the box, but the Argentine strikes it wide of the post. He should have scored.
Madrid have just started to enjoy their best spell of the second half with Ramos pushing down the right. However, Benzema and Ozil continue to struggle to get into the match as we approach the hour mark.
Chance! This time it's Dortmund who come close to scoring as Reus finds Bender outside the box, but the midfielder can only fire over the crossbar. Really open match at the moment.
First chance for Ronaldo to line up a long-range free kick outside the box, but his effort is straight into the wall. Meanwhile, the home supporters remain in full voice. Wonderful atmosphere inside the ground.
Smart work from Ronaldo as he attempts to find ozil Ozil on the edge of the box, but Hummels steps out to clear the danger. End-to-end stuff at the moment. Both sides are looking for the win.
GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Real Madrid (Schmelzer)
Dortmund lead! And it's Schmelzer who strikes it from inside the box. It was poor defending from the away side.
Update: Ajax 3-1 Manchester City (Eriksen). Wow. City are 3-1 down in Holland. It is all happening now!
Madrid so nearly get back into the match as Ronaldo finds Ozil in the box, but again the German international just cannot collect before Modric fires over the crossbar.
Meanwhile, change for the home side as Bender is replaced by Ilkay Gundogan. Little over 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
Not a great deal happening at the moment. Dare I say that Dortmund look comfortable? The likes of Di Maria, Ozil and Benzema are just not in the game for Madrid. Ronaldo needs some support.
Half-chance for the away side as Di Maria whips a cross into the box, but Ronaldo cannot make contact. Madrid do make a change as Gonzalo Higuain replaces Benzema. The Argentine has around 20 minutes to make an impact.
It still just isn't quite happening for Madrid. They are enjoying more of the ball, but Dortmund are so well organised in defence. Can Madrid turn this one around?
Dortmund are enjoying the possession at the moment with little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining. But you just get the feeling that Madrid will have a chance from now until the end of play.
Big penalty shout from the home side as Gotze goes down inside the box, but the referee waves play on. Madrid are living so dangerously at the moment.
End-to-end football as Reus loses possession in the Madrid half, allowing Alonso to feed Ronaldo, but he just cannot find the target. There is another goal in this match.
It's Dortmund on the attack as we approach the final five minutes. The German outfit are a really tidy football side - as Manchester City found out on matchday two.
Madrid are passing and probing in the Dortmund half at the moment, but they just cannot create any real chances. Meanwhile, the home side are a threat on the counter.
Where is the final push from Madrid? Dortmund force a corner and they are exactly where they want to be. Meanwhile, the home side make a change as Gotze is replaced by Julian Schieber.
Madrid are passing and probing in the Dortmund half at the moment, but they just cannot create any real chances. Meanwhile, the home side are a threat on the counter.
Chance! So nearly an equaliser for Madrid as Essien meets a cross at the back post, but his header is wide. All one-way at the moment.
Change for Dortmund as Reus is replaced by Ivan Perisic. There are just moments remaining.
We are in the second minute of three added. Dortmund have possession. This one looks to be over. What a result it would be.
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. A second-half strike from Schmelzer is enough to hand Dortmund a 2-1 win over Madrid. The result moves them top of the group with seven points. Meanwhile, Madrid sit second with six.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for Europa League football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
