Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona | Champions League | Quarter-Finals | Pre Match
Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund head into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona with a four-goal deficit after last week’s thrashing in Spain. A comeback is extremely unlikely, but it has happened before in the Champions League, and that was in a tie involving Barca. The Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund’s famed fortress, will be a cauldron of noise and passion as the Yellow Wall rallies behind their team, desperate for a miracle that would rank among the greatest in European football history. The 4-0 defeat at the Camp Nou was a brutal lesson in Barcelona’s attacking ruthlessness, with Hansi Flick’s side dismantling Dortmund’s defense with surgical precision. For Dortmund, the task is nothing short of Herculean—overturning a four-goal gap against a team in scintillating form, led by a coach who knows how to dominate in Europe. Yet, the memory of Barcelona’s own vulnerability, exposed in their infamous collapse against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, lingers like a faint beacon of hope. That night, PSG succumbed to a 6-1 barrage after winning 4-0 in the first leg, a result that redefined what’s possible in the Champions League. Dortmund’s players, under the guidance of Niko Kovač, must channel that same spirit of defiance, harnessing their home advantage to unsettle a Barcelona side that, while formidable, is not invincible. The fans, clad in black and yellow, will play their part, creating an atmosphere that could rattle even the most seasoned of opponents. For Dortmund, this is not just about salvaging pride—it’s about proving they can still compete with Europe’s elite, despite a season that has been inconsistent at best.
BVB’s defeat in the reverse fixture was the 160th time that a team have lost by 4+ goals in the first leg of a knockout-stage tie in the European Cup/Champions League. Of the previous 159, only one team have ever managed to progress from the second leg: Barcelona versus Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 in 2016-17 (lost 4-0 in the first leg, won 6-1 in the second). That statistic looms large over this tie, a stark reminder of the near-impossible challenge Dortmund face. The Barcelona remontada, as it’s now known, was a night of pure drama, fueled by Neymar’s heroics and a last-gasp Sergi Roberto goal that sent the Camp Nou into delirium. For Dortmund to replicate such a feat, they would need everything to go their way—an early goal to ignite belief, a watertight defense to thwart Barcelona’s counterattacks, and a clinical edge in front of goal that was sorely lacking in the first leg. The odds are stacked against them, but football thrives on the improbable, and Dortmund’s history is peppered with moments of resilience. The club’s 1997 Champions League triumph, when they upset a star-studded Juventus, serves as a reminder that BVB can rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest. Kovač, a manager under pressure to deliver after a patchy domestic campaign, will need to inspire his players to tap into that legacy. Meanwhile, Barcelona, aware of their own history as victims of a comeback, will be wary of complacency. Flick, a meticulous tactician, will demand focus from his squad, knowing that a single lapse could give Dortmund a foothold in the tie. The contrast between Dortmund’s desperation and Barcelona’s confidence sets the stage for a fascinating battle of wills.
If overcoming a four-goal deficit wasn’t difficult enough, Dortmund will have to do it against a club they’ve never beaten before. They’ve not won any of their previous six encounters with Barcelona in a competitive match, and if they fail to win here it’ll be their joint-longest winless run against an opponent in Europe alongside a seven-game streak versus Scottish club Rangers between 1966 and 1999. This historical hoodoo adds another layer of complexity to Dortmund’s challenge. Barcelona have been a thorn in their side, with past meetings marked by moments of brilliance from the Catalan giants—think Lionel Messi’s dazzling runs or Xavi’s metronomic passing. The first leg was no different, as Barcelona’s current crop of stars ran riot, exposing Dortmund’s defensive frailties. For BVB, breaking this winless streak would be a statement of intent, a signal that they are ready to shed their underdog status and compete with the best. The Signal Iduna Park faithful will demand nothing less than total commitment, urging their team to channel their frustration into a performance that could defy history. Barcelona, however, will draw confidence from their dominance over German sides this season, having dispatched Bayern Munich and Dortmund with ease. The psychological edge lies firmly with Flick’s men, but Dortmund’s home record—unbeaten in their last 12 European matches at Signal Iduna Park—suggests they are capable of making life uncomfortable for their visitors. The clash of Dortmund’s desperation and Barcelona’s swagger promises a spectacle, even if the outcome seems all but decided.
Free-scoring Barcelona are now the Opta supercomputer favourites for the Champions League this season, and they have averaged 3.3 goals per game across the 2024-25 competition. Of teams to play at least 10 games in a UCL season, only Bayern Munich in 2019-20 (3.9 per game) have averaged more goals per game than this Barça side. That Bayern team were also led by current Barça coach Hansi Flick. The parallels between Flick’s Bayern juggernaut and his current Barcelona project are striking. In Munich, he molded a team that combined relentless pressing with devastating attacking play, culminating in a Champions League triumph. At Barcelona, he has revitalized a squad that was drifting, instilling a hunger and cohesion that had been missing in recent years. The Camp Nou has become a fortress once more, and their away performances—like the 4-0 demolition of Dortmund—have sent a message to their rivals. Flick’s philosophy, rooted in high intensity and fluid attacking patterns, has unlocked the potential of a young, dynamic squad. Players like Lamine Yamal and Pedri have flourished under his guidance, complementing the experience of veterans like Robert Lewandowski. For Dortmund, facing this Barcelona side is akin to running into a buzzsaw, with every player capable of turning a moment into a goal. Yet, Flick’s Bayern also showed that no team is infallible, and Dortmund will look to exploit any cracks in Barcelona’s armor, particularly if they can disrupt their rhythm early. The supercomputer may favor Barça, but football is played on the pitch, and Dortmund’s fans will cling to the belief that miracles can happen.
In Raphinha (12 goals) and Robert Lewandowski (11), Barcelona have this season’s top two goalscorers in the UCL. Their Brazilian star has been directly involved in 19 goals in 11 Champions League appearances this season (12 goals, 7 assists), and could become just the third player to reach 20+ goal involvements in a single edition, after Cristiano Ronaldo (21 in 2013-14, 20 in 2015-16) and Lewandowski (20 in 2019-20). Raphinha’s emergence as a talisman has been one of the stories of the season. Once criticized for inconsistency, the winger has found a new level under Flick, combining blistering pace with clinical finishing. His performance in the first leg, where he tormented Dortmund’s defense, was a microcosm of his impact—direct, unpredictable, and lethal. Lewandowski, meanwhile, continues to defy age with his predatory instincts. His 100th Champions League goal, achieved earlier this season, was a milestone that cemented his place among the competition’s all-time greats. With 105 goals and counting, he remains a constant threat, his movement and finishing a nightmare for defenders. For Dortmund, neutralizing this duo will be paramount, but it’s easier said than done. Raphinha’s flair and Lewandowski’s nous give Barcelona a cutting edge that few teams can match, and their interplay with the likes of Gavi and Fermín López creates a relentless attacking machine. Dortmund’s defense, so porous in the first leg, must find a way to stand firm, or risk another humiliation.
Lewandowski became just the third man to score 100 Champions League goals earlier this season, and is now on 105 in the competition, as he chases down second-placed Lionel Messi (129) and Ronaldo’s competition-high 140. Turning 37 before next season’s Champions League, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to match either of their tallies, but his record in the competition since turning 30 has been exceptional. With 60 goals in 59 UCL appearances since hitting that milestone, only Ronaldo has more in the competition in his 30s (68 goals in 74 games). Lewandowski’s longevity is a testament to his professionalism and hunger, qualities that have made him a cornerstone of Flick’s Barcelona. His presence in the box, where he seems to anticipate every cross and rebound, gives Barcelona a focal point that Dortmund struggled to contain in the first leg. For BVB, the challenge is not just stopping Lewandowski but limiting the supply lines that feed him. Players like Jules Koundé and Frenkie de Jong, who orchestrate Barcelona’s build-up, will need to be pressed relentlessly if Dortmund are to stand a chance. Lewandowski’s pursuit of Messi and Ronaldo adds a personal narrative to this tie, but his focus will be on collective success, knowing that a deep run in the Champions League could define his legacy at Barcelona.
Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy is close behind the Barcelona pair in this season’s goal rankings. While he’s scored 10 times in 13 appearances in the Champions League this season, his form has deserted him of late. Guirassy hasn’t scored in any of his last four UCL appearances, while none of his last 10 shots in the competition have been converted, after scoring with 40% of shots this season beforehand (10/25). The Guinean striker, who was a revelation earlier in the campaign, has hit a wall at the worst possible time. His physicality and finishing were key to Dortmund’s early success, but his recent struggles mirror the team’s broader dip in form. For Kovač, getting Guirassy firing again could be the spark Dortmund need to mount a comeback, however unlikely it seems. The striker’s ability to hold up play and link with wingers like Jamie Gittens offers hope, but he’ll need to rediscover his confidence against a Barcelona defense anchored by Ronald Araújo. Guirassy’s drought is a microcosm of Dortmund’s challenges—moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Barcelona come into this match in exceptional form, having not lost since a 2-1 league defeat against Atlético Madrid on 21 December last year. They’ve since gone 24 competitive games without a loss (W20 D4) and their latest victory came in the weekend win over Leganes in La Liga thanks to a Jorge Sáenz own goal. That result sees them lead the La Liga standings by four points ahead of rivals Real Madrid with seven games remaining. Barcelona’s resurgence under Flick has been nothing short of remarkable, transforming a team that was faltering into a juggernaut. Their unbeaten run spans domestic and European competitions, a testament to their depth and adaptability. The Leganes win, while not a classic, showed their ability to grind out results, a trait that could serve them well in the cauldron of Signal Iduna Park. For Dortmund, facing a team with such momentum is daunting, but it also presents an opportunity to derail a seemingly unstoppable force. Barcelona’s confidence is palpable, but history has shown that even the best teams can stumble when the pressure is on.
Borussia Dortmund’s season hasn’t gone so well domestically. This weekend’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker leaves Niko Kovač’s side in eighth place in the Bundesliga table, 27 points off leaders Bayern and with work to do to qualify for the Champions League next season. The draw was a microcosm of Dortmund’s campaign—moments of promise undone by defensive lapses and missed opportunities. Maximilian Beier’s opening goal gave them hope, but Bayern’s late equalizer exposed their fragility. Kovač, under scrutiny for his side’s mid-table position, needs a European miracle to salvage his reputation. The contrast with Barcelona’s domestic dominance could not be starker, yet Dortmund’s European pedigree gives them a platform to fight. The fans, who have stood by their team through thick and thin, will demand a performance that restores pride, even if progression seems out of reach.
Maximilian Beier scored the opening goal at the Allianz Arena at the weekend to continue his recent run of form. He’s scored four and assisted two more in his last six competitive games for the club. Beier is still one goal shy of reaching double figures for Dortmund this season in all competitions, with only Guirassy (25) and Jamie Gittens (12) doing so for the club across 2024-25 so far. Beier’s emergence has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season, his pace and directness offering a threat that could trouble Barcelona’s high line. For Kovač, leaning on young talents like Beier and Gittens could be key to unlocking Barcelona’s defense, especially if they can exploit spaces left by an attacking-minded Barça side. Beier’s confidence will be crucial, as Dortmund need their attacking players to step up in the absence of Guirassy’s goals.
The first leg of this tie saw Borussia Dortmund suffer their joint-heaviest ever defeat in a European Cup/UEFA Champions League match, alongside a 4-0 loss to Ajax in the 2021-22 group stage. The scars of that night in Catalonia will linger, but Dortmund have a chance to show they’ve learned from their mistakes. The Ajax defeat was a low point, but BVB bounced back to reach the knockout stages that season, a reminder of their resilience. This time, the challenge is far greater, but the principle remains the same—regroup, refocus, and fight. Barcelona’s dominance in the first leg was total, but football is unpredictable, and Dortmund will cling to that unpredictability as they chase the impossible.
That victory means that Barcelona have won all three of their games against German sides in the Champions League this season, beating Bayern Munich (4-1) and Borussia Dortmund twice (3-2 and 4-0). If Barça win this match, they’ll become the first side to win away to Dortmund more than once in the same European campaign. Flick’s mastery over Bundesliga opposition is no coincidence—his intimate knowledge of German football gives him an edge, allowing him to exploit weaknesses with ruthless efficiency. For Dortmund, preventing a historic defeat is a matter of pride as much as progression. The second leg is their chance to show they can compete, even if the tie feels decided. The Yellow Wall will roar, the players will fight, and for 90 minutes, anything will seem possible.
