Barcelona`s strong season continues this Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League as they host Borussia Dortmund for the first leg of the quarterfinals. Both teams are vying for a spot in the coveted final four.
Similar to several other Champions League quarterfinalists, Barcelona is still in contention for a treble and feels like a serious contender to win the competition for the first time in ten years, largely due to 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 on Wednesday. They will aim 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 achieve something significant in what has been an otherwise disappointing season. Manager Niko Kovac, who took over from Nuri Sahin in January, has brought some stability, but Dortmund currently sits eighth in the Bundesliga. They face the risk of missing out on European competition next season if their league form doesn`t improve. Dortmund will also have a depleted squad on Wednesday, with Pascal Gross suspended and Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck, both of whom started in last year`s Champions League final, unavailable due to injuries.
Match Details and Key Information
- Date: Wednesday, April 9
- Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys — Barcelona, Spain
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Barcelona -290; Draw +440; Borussia Dortmund +650
Previous Encounter
The last time these two teams met was in the group stage, where Barcelona secured a close 3-2 victory in Dortmund. The first half ended scoreless. Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona 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 the score again from a penalty just three minutes after. However, Torres scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing the win for Barcelona.
Barcelona`s Perspective
The upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund will be Barcelona`s fifth game within a 14-day period, marking roughly the midpoint of a stretch of nine games in 29 days. Their busy schedule showed its first signs of strain in Saturday`s 1-1 draw against Real Betis. Despite this draw, their La Liga title hopes weren`t significantly damaged due to Real Madrid`s loss on the same day. Fatigue might be affecting Barcelona, as manager Hansi Flick seems focused on simply getting through this congested period.
“I`m satisfied with this point because it means we have played one less game and gained one more point,” Flick commented after the Betis match, as reported by The Athletic. “Some days, you create opportunities, but the opposition defends deeply and resists, and this was one of those games. … The team is performing well, and we made the substitutions we planned. The team gave their all in the second half.”
Flick is expected to rely on several starters from the Betis game for Wednesday`s match, including Lewandowski and Yamal. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is also likely to start both Champions League quarterfinal games, even though Marc-Andre ter Stegen has returned to training. Ter Stegen, Barcelona`s usual first-choice goalkeeper until his patellar tendon injury in September, aims to return to playing “soon” but hasn`t specified a definite date.
“After six months, I`m back and feeling physically better than ever, full of energy,” Ter Stegen stated in a recent interview with The Athletic. “I have a fantastic team supporting me. I`m managing the physical demands and eager to play again soon—though I don`t have a specific date in mind. Once I`m fully fit and training is going smoothly, I`ll let the coach know when I`m ready.”
Borussia Dortmund`s Viewpoint
Dortmund acknowledges their underdog status in this matchup, especially with Schlotterbeck ruled out for the rest of the season due to a meniscus tear sustained last week. They performed well without him in Saturday`s 4-1 victory against Freiburg, but facing Barcelona, a Champions League favorite, presents a much greater challenge.
The high stakes of this European tie have prompted reflection from Dortmund captain Emre Can, who has been trying to understand Dortmund`s underwhelming season.
In a recent interview, Can mentioned that the team doesn`t have “a general attitude problem,” but added, “I can`t dismiss the idea that sometimes a player might think 99% effort is enough in the Bundesliga. But that`s not the case; the league is too competitive for that. [Players] might be relying too much on their teammates instead of pushing themselves further. This mentality needs to change in every game.”
However, this doesn`t mean the previous Champions League finalists have lowered their ambitions.
“[Dortmund is] not a top-tier team,” he admitted. “But we are a major club with the ambition 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
Player Spotlight
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: While several Barcelona players have had outstanding seasons, Lamine Yamal is quickly becoming the focal point as the team searches for its next superstar. In just his second full professional season, he has already contributed 13 goals and 17 assists, making a significant impact in both major and minor games. Expect Barcelona to aim for a comfortable first-leg victory to manage their demanding schedule, and look for the 17-year-old Yamal to be instrumental in ensuring the hosts stay on course for their first Champions League title in a decade.
Key Match 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 significantly affecting Barcelona at a critical point in the season, adding complexity to their pursuit of three trophies within weeks. While it`s risky to bet against Barcelona even when fatigued, it`s worth considering if this lack of rest could provide an opportunity for a Dortmund team that has less at stake this season.
Match Prediction
Despite potential fatigue from their busy schedule, Barcelona should still be capable of overcoming a Dortmund side that hasn`t managed to recreate the magic of their last season`s journey to the final. It might not be Barcelona`s most impressive performance, but they are expected to secure a victory and establish a solid advantage in the first leg. Prediction: Barcelona 3, Borussia Dortmund 1
Dominic Ashworth