Barcelona`s strong season continues this Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League as they host Borussia Dortmund at the Olympic Stadium for the first leg of their 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 and are considered serious candidates to win the Champions League for the first time in ten years. This resurgence is largely credited to coach Hansi Flick`s positive impact on the team. Players like Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha have consistently performed at a high level throughout the season and are expected to be crucial for Barcelona in this two-legged tie. However, 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. Manager Niko Kovac, who took over from Nuri Sahin in January, has brought some stability, but Dortmund currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga. They risk missing out on European competition next season if their league form doesn`t improve. Dortmund will face Barcelona with a depleted squad, as Pascal Gross is suspended, and Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck – both starters in last year`s Champions League final – are injured and unavailable.
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 narrowly defeated Dortmund 3-2 away from home. The first half was scoreless. Raphinha opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, but Serhou Guirassy quickly equalized for Dortmund seven minutes later. Ferran Torres regained the lead for Barcelona in the 75th minute, only for Guirassy to level again from the penalty spot three minutes later. Ultimately, Torres scored the winning goal in the 85th minute.
Barcelona`s Perspective
The upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund will be Barcelona`s fifth game within a two-week period, marking the midpoint of a demanding stretch of nine games in 29 days. Their recent 1-1 draw against Real Betis was their first setback in this period, but it didn`t significantly harm their La Liga title aspirations thanks to Real Madrid`s defeat on the same day. Fatigue from this congested schedule might be affecting Barcelona, though manager Hansi Flick seems focused on simply getting through each game.
Flick commented after the Betis match that he was content with the draw because it extended their lead with one game in hand. He acknowledged that some games are challenging when opponents defend deeply, but he felt the team performed well and made necessary adjustments. He also indicated he was satisfied with the team’s overall effort and substitutions.
Flick is likely to field several players who started against Betis for the Dortmund game, including Lewandowski and Yamal. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is also expected to continue starting in both Champions League quarterfinal legs, despite Marc-Andre ter Stegen`s return to training. Ter Stegen, Barcelona`s usual first-choice goalkeeper before a patellar tendon rupture in September, aims to return to playing soon but hasn`t specified a definite date.
Ter Stegen mentioned in a recent interview that he feels physically better than ever after six months of recovery and is eager to play. He praised the support team around him and his physical condition but emphasized he doesn’t have a fixed return date. He suggested he would signal his readiness to the coach when he feels fully fit and training progresses well.
Borussia Dortmund`s Viewpoint
Dortmund are realistic about being considered underdogs in this quarterfinal tie, especially with Schlotterbeck ruled out for the season due to a torn meniscus. They performed well in their 4-1 victory against Freiburg without him, but facing Barcelona, a Champions League favorite, is a much greater challenge.
The high stakes of this European match have prompted introspection from Dortmund captain Emre Can, who reflected on the team`s inconsistent season.
Can stated that the team doesn`t have a fundamental attitude problem but suggested that some players might subconsciously believe that 99% effort is sufficient in the Bundesliga, which is not the case. He believes players might be relying too much on teammates instead of pushing themselves further. He stressed the need for a change in mindset in every match.
However, this doesn’t mean Dortmund lacks ambition. Can clarified that while Dortmund might not be a top-tier team currently, they are a significant club with aspirations to win titles.
Predicted 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
Key Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: While several Barcelona players are having excellent seasons, Lamine Yamal is rapidly becoming a central figure for the team as they seek their next superstar. At just 17, he has already contributed significantly with 13 goals and 17 assists in his second professional season, performing well in important matches. Barcelona will likely aim for a comfortable first-leg victory to manage their busy schedule, and Yamal is expected to play a key role in ensuring the team stays on course for their first Champions League title in a decade.
Key Match Storyline
Barcelona`s Busy Schedule: Barcelona will have most of their key players available, but the main question is whether they will be at their peak performance levels. The intense fixture congestion is significantly impacting Barcelona at a critical point in the season, adding complexity to their pursuit of three trophies within weeks. While it would be unwise to underestimate Barcelona even when fatigued, it raises questions about whether Dortmund can exploit any potential tiredness.
Match Prediction
Despite the challenges of fixture congestion, Barcelona should still possess enough quality to overcome a Dortmund team that hasn`t replicated their previous Champions League final form. It might not be Barcelona`s most dominant performance, but they are expected to secure a victory and establish a solid advantage in the first leg. Prediction: Barcelona 3, Borussia Dortmund 1
