It was while working for the French sports newspaper L’Équipe in the 1950s that former France international Gabriel Hanot came up with the idea for the European Cup, which was later reborn as the UEFA Champions League in 1992.

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Gabriel Hanot

Borussia Dortmund missed the inaugural edition of the competition in 1955 but took part for the first time a year later, overcoming Spora Luxembourg (4-3 win, 2-1 defeat and 7-0 win) before being knocked out by Manchester United (3-2 defeat, 0-0 draw).

Having participated 47 times, won 11 titles, played 405 matches and notched up 241 victories, Real Madrid occupy pole position in the all-time club ranking list for the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, with Bayern Munich (33/5/319/183) hot on their heels in second.

Borussia Dortmund have the opportunity to join them in the continent's all-time top 20 – at the expense of Olympique Lyon – if they draw or win against Monaco on Tuesday evening. BVB have participated in the competition 15 times, won one title, played 122 games (including qualifiers) and recorded 62 victories. They sit seventh in UEFA's current club ranking list, but could leapfrog PSG into sixth this week.

The first clash with the principality club represents a landmark for the Black and Yellows: it will be their 100th appearance in the competition since the inception of the Champions League in 1992. (br)