Ter Stegen shines as Barca-Borussia share the spoils

Sports

Sports Desk
18 September, 2019, 03:30 am
Last modified: 19 September, 2019, 07:32 pm
The German goalkeeper saved Marco Reus' penalty to ensure his clean sheet.

Marc Andre ter Stegen was the hero for Barcelona as the visitors held hosts Borussia Dortmund for a 0-0 draw at the Signal Iduna Park in a Group F clash. 

The big news before the match was the return of Lionel Messi to the Barcelona squad for the first time this season after being sidelined due to a calf injury. 

Dortmund started the game on the front foot but Barcelona were adamant in defense. But they were dealt a blow when Jordi Alba had to be taken off for which seemed to be a hamstring issue. 

The next key event in the match was when Nelson Semedo fouled Jadon Sancho in the box and gifted Dortmund a penalty. But Marco Reus' penalty in the 57th minute was saved by ter Stegen, which later on proved to be the deciding factor of the game. 

Lionel Messi featured for the first time this season when he came on for the teenage sensation Ansu Fati on the 59th minute. Earlier, Fati had become the youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League. 

Stegen once again proved to be his team's hero as he did a double save from Marco Reus to keep his clean sheet intact. 

Lionel Messi's shot at the ending moments was blocked, which ensured that the match ended in a goalless stalemate. 

Earlier in the day, Inter Milan and Slavia Praha from the same group drew 1-1 to take a point each.

 

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