Barcelona`s strong season continues as they host Borussia Dortmund this Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup. Both teams are vying for a coveted spot in the semifinals.
Barcelona, like several other quarterfinalists, are still in contention for a treble this season. Under Hansi Flick`s guidance, they are considered serious contenders to win the Champions League for the first time in a decade. Key players such as Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha have consistently performed at a high level throughout the season and are expected to play crucial roles on Wednesday. They will need to compensate for the absence of Dani Olmo, who is sidelined with a minor adductor injury.
For Dortmund, the Champions League represents their last opportunity to salvage something significant from an otherwise disappointing season. While manager Niko Kovac, who took over from Nuri Sahin in January, has brought some stability, Dortmund currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga. They face the risk of missing out on European competition next season if their league form doesn`t improve. Their squad will be depleted for Wednesday`s game, with Pascal Gross suspended, and Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck, both starters in last year`s Champions League final, unavailable due to injuries.
Here’s a preview of what to expect.
Match Details
- Date: Wednesday, April 9
- Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys — Barcelona, Spain
Previous Encounter
The last time these two teams met was in the group stage, where Barcelona secured a close 3-2 victory in Dortmund. Despite a goalless first half, the game burst into life after the break. Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 53rd minute, but Serhou Guirassy quickly equalized for Dortmund seven minutes later. Ferran Torres then put Barcelona ahead again in the 75th minute, only for Guirassy to level the score once more from the penalty spot three minutes later. Ultimately, Torres scored again in the 85th minute to secure the win for Barcelona.
Barcelona`s Perspective
The match against Borussia Dortmund will be Barcelona`s fifth game in just 14 days, marking the midpoint of a demanding stretch of nine games in 29 days. They experienced a slight setback in their recent 1-1 draw against Real Betis, but Real Madrid`s loss on the same day meant it didn`t significantly impact their La Liga aspirations. However, the fatigue from this congested schedule might be catching up to Barcelona. Manager Hansi Flick expressed his relief at simply getting through the games.
Flick stated after the Betis match, `I’m happy with this one point because we have one game less and one point more. There are days you create chances but the opponent withstands them and sits deep, and this was a game like that. … The team are doing good and we made the changes we wanted to make. The team in the second half tried everything.`
Flick is expected to rely on several starters from the Betis game for the Dortmund clash, including Lewandowski and Yamal. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is also expected to start both Champions League quarterfinal games, even with Marc-Andre ter Stegen returning to training. Ter Stegen, Barcelona`s usual first-choice goalkeeper who has been out since September with a patella tendon injury, is aiming for a return `soon` but hasn`t specified a definite date.
Ter Stegen mentioned last week, `I’m back after six months and I’m feeling physically better than ever, with lots of energy. I have a super team around me. I’m handling the physical strain and I’m hungry to play soon — but I don’t have a specific date in mind. If I can get fit and training goes well, I’ll give the coach a nudge when I’m ready.`
Borussia Dortmund`s Viewpoint
Dortmund are realistic about their underdog status in this quarterfinal tie, especially with Schlotterbeck ruled out for the season due to a meniscus tear sustained last week. They performed well in their 4-1 victory against Freiburg on Saturday despite Schlotterbeck`s absence, but facing Barcelona, a Champions League favorite, presents a much greater challenge.
The high stakes of the European match have prompted introspection from Dortmund captain Emre Can, who has been reflecting on the team`s inconsistent season.
Can stated in a recent interview that he doesn`t believe there`s `a general attitude problem` within the team, but admitted, `I can’t rule out that a player sometimes thinks that today 99% are enough in the Bundesliga. But that is not the case, the league is too strong for that. [The players] maybe trust the team-mate too much instead of doing three more steps themselves. This thinking must change. In every match.`
Despite acknowledging they are not currently a top team, Can emphasized Dortmund`s ambition: `[Dortmund are] not a top team. But we are a big club which has the ambition to win titles.`
Projected Starting Lineups
Barcelona
Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
Borussia Dortmund
Gregor Kobel, Waldemar Anton, Emre Can, Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson, Carney Chukwuemeka, Pascal Gross, Julian Brandt, Daniel Svensson, Serhou Guirassy, Karim Adeyemi
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona
While several Barcelona players have had excellent seasons, Lamine Yamal is rapidly becoming the focal point as the team seeks its next superstar. At just 17 years old, he has already contributed 13 goals and 17 assists in his second full professional season, making significant impacts in both important and less prominent matches. Barcelona will likely aim for a comfortable first-leg victory to manage their busy schedule, and Yamal is expected to be key in ensuring the hosts stay on track in their Champions League quest.
Key Storyline
Barcelona`s Tight Schedule
Barcelona will have most of their key players available, but the main concern is whether they will be at their peak performance level. The congested fixture list is heavily impacting Barcelona at a critical juncture of the season, adding complexity to their pursuit of three trophies. While it would be unwise to underestimate Barcelona even when fatigued, it remains to be seen if the lack of rest will provide an opportunity for a Dortmund team with less to lose.
Prediction
Despite the effects of fixture congestion, Barcelona should still possess enough quality to overcome a Dortmund side that hasn`t quite replicated their form from last season`s Champions League final run. While it might not be Barcelona`s most dominant performance, they are expected to secure a victory and establish a solid first-leg advantage.
Prediction: Barcelona 3, Borussia Dortmund 1
