UEFA Champions League LIVE!
Munich - After a blockbuster Bundesliga Matchday 13 the UEFA Champions League returned as Borussia Dortmund picked up a 3-1 win in their must-win match against SSC Napoli, while FC Schalke 04 had to settle for a goalless draw against FC Steaua Bucuresti, leaving them in a precarious position in Group E.
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brought you all the action from an electric evening of European action. Relive it all right here.... Many thanks for joining
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this evening as
Borussia Dortmund
did what they had to in order to keep their qualification dreams alive by
, courtesy of goals from
,
and
. Their Ruhr rivals, however,
FC Schalke 04
, suffered from a late goal - despite
with Steaua Bucharest. Basel's late winner against Chelsea in Switzerland means that qualification goes down to the wire in Gelsenkirchen, where Jens Keller's men
must
beat Basel.
Dortmund
have it in their own hands as they go to Olympique de Marseille on Matchday 6, knowing that a win will take them through. Don't forget to join us tomorrow night as the already-qualified
FC Bayern München
to take on PFC CSKA Moskva, while
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- where a win will see them qualify. Here's a vote for man of the match...
FULL TIME:
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wants to hear from you! Tweet us
on Twitter and share your opinions.
Who was your Man of the Match this evening?
Get in touch and make sure to included
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in your Tweet and the best answers will feature right here on our LIVE updates!
Borussia Dortmund 3-1 SSC Napoli
FULL TIME:
Goals from
,
and
hand
Dortmund
all three points in a must win match against
Napoli
. How important winning by two goals will be come the end of Matchday 6 is yet to be decided.
Dortmund
will still need to win in
Marseille
, but their destiny is still in their own hands.
Borussia Dortmund 3-1 SSC Napoli
90+1’
Dortmund
are wasting as much time as possible against
Napoli
, who appear to have given up the ghost in the Signal Iduna Park.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
FULL TIME:
Schalke
's game on the road against
Steaua Bucuresti
finishes goalless. A just result after both sides struggled for ideas in the final third.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
90+2’
Both sides are throwing caution to the wind, but are still failing to produce a clear-cut chance which would see either deserve to take home all three points.
Basel
have taken the lead over
Chelsea
so if it stays like this,
Schalke
will have to beat the Swiss side on home soil to ensure their passage into the last 16. Not the simplest of situations.
Borussia Dortmund 3-1 SSC Napoli
86’
goes on another solo run, but with
dragging defenders in the opposite direction, can only hit the post from a tight angle with his eventual effort on goal.
Dortmund
earn themselves a corner as a result, but it leads to nothing.
Napoli
are certainly the most desperate side, yet BVB are doing well to keep them at arm's length.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
85’
Time is running out for
Schalke
to get their all-important win.
Steaua
have definitely made life difficult for them, but you can still argue that the Royal Blues have been the best of a bad bunch. Substitute
is doing everything he can to change the game, playing in
, who's tame effort is easily saved.
Borussia Dortmund 3-1 SSC Napoli
80’
That tweet (below) shows just how much this means to
Dortmund
.
is about to come on for
in an attempt to sure up the backline.
Borussia Dortmund 3-1 SSC Napoli
78’
GOAL!:
They've done it!
Dortmund
move two goals ahead for the second time in the game as
leads the counter before slipping the ball into
, who makes up for his earlier mistake by clipping the ball into the far corner with a delicate chip from a tight angle. Can the
Schwarz-Gelbe
hold on this time?
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 SSC Napoli
75’
Napoli
have
Dotmund
well and truly on the back foot after pulling a goal back, but it hasn't taken everything away from the hosts attacking threat as
is played through on goal. The Gabonese international seems to get caught in two minds in the one-on-one situation as
Reina
sticks out a hand to prevent the winger restoring BVB's two-goal lead.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
77’
Schalke
have brought on
for
.
Steaua
go very close to an opening goal though, as
Tanase
's free-kick clips off the post and behind for a goal kick. It didn't look like
would have got there in time. Close call for the Royal Blues.
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 SSC Napoli
72’
GOAL!:
Napoli
pull a goal back somewhat against the run of play.
Higuain
plays the ball through to
Insigne
, who demonstrated strength and pace before planting the ball beyond
, who despite getting a touch, can't prevent the ball tricking in off the far post. This could lead to a nervous ending.
Dortmund
know they need to win by at least two goals to stand the best chance of progressing into the last 16.
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 SSC Napoli
68’
Dortmund
are sitting a little deeper having extended their lead, but
Jürgen Klopp
has just thrown on
in place of goalscorer
to try and inject a bit more pace into his side's forward movements. Not a bad player to bring off the bench!
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
67’
Yet another set-piece offers
Schalke
to take the lead, but after meeting
's corner with his head,
fails to find the target. It's not been the most electric of European in Bucharest it has to be said, but
continues to look the most likely to make something happen for either side.
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 SSC Napoli
61’
GOAL!:
And there it is!
Dortmund
finally extend their lead.
rushes off his line to deny
Higuain
in a one-on-one situation and from the ensuing counter attack,
breaks down the left before playing the ball into space for
, who shows no fear in slotting the ball through the legs of the onrushing
Reina
. There’s no doubting BVB deserve the 2-0 lead, but can they add to it?
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
58’
Dortmund
are pushing forward in search of that second goal which will settle the nerves and are enjoying a really promising period of play that has done everything but produce a goal.
tries to go it alone with a fine solo run, but with other players better placed sees his shot plamed away by
Pepe Reina
. It's coming though...
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
58’
Steaua
's lack of composure in front of goal comes back to haunt them as they botch a clear chance to open the scoring against
Schalke
.
Prepelita
and
Chipciu
end up getting in each other's way at the end of a promising counter and though the ball is chipped over
there are defenders covering to clear the ball. The game is definitely opening up though.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
54’
Two chances in quick succession for the hosts as
fires across goal and wide of the target, before
plays in
only for the Pole's square ball looking for compatriot
to be cut out by
Albiol
.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
51’
The intensity of the encounter between
Dortmund
and
Napoli
has shown no signs of dwindling early in the second half. Both teams are still pressing high up the pitch, yet it's BVB who still look the more threatening side as they continue to attempt to break the visitors down on the counter attack.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
50’
goes close to an opening goal for
Schalke
, climbing highest at the back post to meet
only to head wide of the target. That's better from the Royal Blues. It looks like head coach
Jens Keller
might have had a few choice words for his side following their lacklustre first-half performance.
SECOND HALF:
We're back underway in the two games. It has been confirmed during the half-time break that
Dortmund
's
has indeed broken his nose. However, the make-shift centre-back has been given the all clear to continue.
HALF TIME:
Be sure to check out the
official Bundesliga YouTube channel
where you can see video like this one of the
Borussia Dortmund
fans producing a rousing rendition of the world famous song 'You'll Never Walk Alone':
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HALF TIME:
Happy with what you’ve seen so far? Tweet us at
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Who has impressed you the most so far this evening?
Get in touch and make sure to included
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in your Tweet and the best answers will feature right here on our LIVE updates!
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
HALF-TIME:
's 10th minute penalty remains the difference between the two sides as they go in at the break following a throughly entertaining first-half.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
HALF-TIME:
No goals yet in Bucharest where
Schalke
have been the slightly better side.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
44’
I think a 1-0 lead is plenty to cheer for
Dortmund
right now. They're not playing like a team in a so-called 'crisis', but are finding time and space at a premium in the
Napoli
half as
sees his shot from range blocked. At the other end
Pablo Armero
forces
into a diving save.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
42’
Schalke
's first-half performance has exposed just how much they're missing
and
. There's a lack of creativity and aptitude within the Royal Blue ranks and, though they've had eight shots on goal, none have truly threatened to open the scoring.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
38’
It's all getting a little bit heated in
Dortmund
.
Raul Albiol
joins
Higuain
in the referee's book for a reckless, from-behind challenge on
.
Napoli
players surround the match official to voice their displeasure and in the pushing and shoving the ensues,
Pandev
and
both pick up bookings of their own.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
35’
is looking very lively for the
Schwarz-Gelbe
as the creative Armenian goes on a marauding run, helped by runners either side opening up the space, which culminates in him drawing a strong save out of
Pepe Reina
.
then once again passes up the chance to hand
Dortmund
a two-goal lead, shooting straight at the Spanish keeper in a one-on-one situation.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
32’
Minutes after an unsighted
produced a fine save to prevent
Federico Piovaccari
breaking the deadlock,
Schalke
have the ball in the back of the net. However, the was adjudged to have crossed the byline before
cut the ball back for
to slot into the net.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
29’
OOOF!
Napoli
almost do just that as
Jose Callejon
dances his way down the right flank before smashing an effort across goal and off the far post.
Jürgen Klopp
's side are never one to settle for a one-goal lead, but the sooner that second goal comes to settle the nerves the better.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
26’
is called in action for the first time in the game as first
Goran Pandev
and then
Gonzalo Higuain
force the newly-capped German international to produce routine saves to keep his side in front.
Napoli
are going to have to do better than that to be Roman!
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
25’
The snow is falling thick and fast in Bucharest where, much like their Matchday 1 encounter,
Schalke
are struggling to truly assert themselves on proceedings.
is providing a focal point for all their forward movements, with his pace looking to most likely to open the door for the Royal Blues.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
20’
Pepe Reina
is at full stretch to deny
finding the bottom corner with a sumptuous free-kick. The German international got it up and over the wall, but didn't have enough pace on the effort to beat the Spanish keeper. Meanwhile, make-shift centre-back
has had to leave the field with what could be a broken nose. He's stuffed some cotton buds up there to stem the bleeding and looks set to continue once he changes his shirt.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
20’
It has been a very even encounter so far in Romania with neither side yet to carve out a clear sight of goal.
and
have both forced saves out of the
Steaua
keeper from half-chances, but it was nothing to write home about in truth.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
15’
Dortmund
should be further ahead as
squanders a golden opportunity to extend the lead.
provides the inch-perfect pass to release the Pole in behind only to see him fire into the side-netting as he tried to find the top corner at the near post. This is a very strong start from BVB. Long may it continue.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 SSC Napoli
10’
PENALTY + GOAL!:
Dortmund
's first corner of the game produces the opening goal in a way as
is manhandled inside the box, forcing the referee to point to the spot after a moments hesistation.
steps up and sends
Pepe Reina
the wrong way, finding the bottom right-hand corner to give BVB the perfect start to this must-win encounter.
FC Steaua Bucuresti 0-0 FC Schalke 04
7’
Schalke
and
in particular have started brightly in the opening exchanges. Both teams seem to be getting a feel for each other, while
has enjoyed a few early touches, making his first start of the season in the UEFA Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 SSC Napoli
4’
As if the pressure on
Dortmund
wasn't already great.
Arsenal FC
have taken an early lead at home to
Olympique Marseille
. BVB are moving the ball well, but regularly coming unstuck against a
Napoli
side, who look to have taken a leaf out of
Jürgen Klopp
's book in that they're pressing with great intensity.
KICK-OFF:
We're underway in tonight's two fixtures. It's a big night for German football. Can they deliver? Let's find out!
Kick-off - 5 mins:
Speaking before the match to
Sky Germany
Borussia Dortmund
head coach
Jürgen Klopp
claimed he had two clear instructions for his side ahead of their encounter with
SSC Napoli
. “They’ve got to put the
FC Bayern
loss behind them and simply convert their chances
,” explained the charismatic coach, who has moved
into the backline alongside
, while
keeps his place at left-back for the injured
. Elsewhere, club captain
returns to the fold partnering
in holding midfield. The changes, however, haven't affected this gentleman's view of how proceedings will unfold, a 3-1 scoreline would be perfect for
die Schwarz-Gelben
this evening...
Kick-off - 10 mins:
When
FC Schalke 04
and
FC Steaua Bucuresti
met in the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League campaign it ended goalless in Romania.
Steaua
haven’t beaten German opposition since the 1957/58 European Champion Clubs' Cup first round, losing 14 games since then against Bundesliga sides. If The Royal Blues want to continue that run though, they’ll have to do it without
and
, both of whom have pulled out due to late injury setbacks. Instead
starts up front, backed up by the trio of
,
and
. Elsewhere,
is preferred to
at centre-back. One Twitter follower seems very confident of the Bundesliga sides' chances tonight...
Kick-off - 20 mins:
Borussia Dortmund
’s record against Italian sides doesn’t make for easy ready. In 28 games against Serie A outfits BVB have won nine, drawn four and lost 15. However, things look a little more promising at the Signal Iduna Park where they’ve collected five wins, three draws and just six losses. It should also not be forgotten that their greatest moment in Europe came against Italian opposition when they beat
Juventus
3-1 in Munich to clinch the UEFA Champions League title in 1997. Hope springs eternal no matter the situation. In Klopp we trust!
Kick-off - 30 mins:
If you’re trying to work out all the relevant permutations for Germany’s four UEFA Champions League representatives, put your calculators away!
bundesliga.com
has got you covered with a round-up of all the relevant theoretical situations that could occur. Click
to find out all the if’s, when’s and but’s of the possible group stage outcomes.
CONFIRMED LINE-UPS: Borussia Dortmund - SSC Napoli
Dortmund:
Weidenfeller - Großkreutz, Sokratis, S. Bender, Durm - Kehl, Sahin - Blaszczykowski, Mkhitaryan, Reus - Lewandowski
Napoli:
Reina - Maggio, Raul Albiol, Fernandez, Armero - Behrami, Dzemali - Jose Callejon, Pandev, Mertens - Higuain
CONFIRMED LINE-UPS: FC Steaua Bucuresti - FC Schalke 04
FC Steaua Bucuresti:
Tatarusanu - Prepelita, Szukala, Gardos, Latovlevici - Bourceanu, Neagu - Popa, Chipciu, Tanase - Piovaccari
FC Schalke 04:
Fährmann - Uchida, Höwedes, Santana, Aogo - Neustädter, J. Jones - Farfan, Meyer, Fuchs- Szalai
Kick-off - 40 mins:
FC Schalke 04
picked up a 3-0 win over their Romanian counterparts on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League. Tonight the Royal Blues could book their place in the first knockout round of Europe’s premier club competition for the second season in a row, but will have to rely on FC Chelsea beating FC Basel. Click
to read our exclusive preview.
Kick-off - 45 mins:
Click
to read our exclusive preview of
Borussia Dortmund
’s do-or-die encounter with
SSC Napoli
. Just three days on from their
in
der Klassiker
against
FC Bayern München
, BVB are desperate to arrest their current slump in form, whilst exacting revenge on their Italian counterparts following a 2-1 loss on Matchday 1.
Kick-off - 50 mins:
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on
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Kick-off - 55 mins:
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What will the scorelines be tonight?
Which Borussia Dortmund or FC Schalke 04 player will steal the show?
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Kick-off - 60 mins:
Hello and welcome to
bundesliga.com
's LIVE coverage of the UEFA Champions League group stage. In a pivotal week for the German sides at Europe’s top table, it’s the Ruhr district outfits that take centre-stage tonight as
Borussia Dortmund
host
SSC Napoli
in a must-win fixture, while
FC Schalke 04
have jetted of to Romania to take on
FC Steaua Bucuresti
in the knowledge that a win could clinch their place in the last 16. Stay with us for all the pre-match build-up and LIVE text updates throughout what promises to be an edge-of-your seat 90 minutes.