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Champions League Preview: Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
Quarter-Final First Leg – Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Wednesday
Barcelona host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of what promises to be an enthralling Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday night, with a potential semi-final against Inter Milan or Bayern Munich awaiting the winner.
Barça in Blistering Form
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have been playing some of the most exhilarating football in Europe this season, storming their way through the competition and arriving at this stage unbeaten in their last 22 matches across all competitions.
While they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis at the weekend, Barca remain firmly in the hunt for an incredible quadruple, having already lifted the Spanish Super Cup and reached the Copa del Rey final. They also sit in a fierce La Liga title race and now return to Champions League action aiming to reach their first semi-final since 2019.
Flick’s men edged Dortmund 3-2 in the league phase back in the autumn, with Ferran Torres striking twice late on in a thrilling contest in Germany. Torres has remained in fine form and is expected to start alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in attack.
Barcelona boast a perfect record against Dortmund in European competition (W3 D2) and Flick has never lost to the German side in six previous meetings as a manager.
Dortmund’s European Edge
Despite enduring a turbulent Bundesliga campaign, Borussia Dortmund have once again found their rhythm on the continental stage. Last year’s runners-up have won three consecutive Champions League away knockout ties and are unbeaten in their last five European games.
However, their domestic inconsistencies have left them in eighth place in the Bundesliga, five points off the top four. Winning the Champions League might be their best (and perhaps only) route back into next season’s competition.
Niko Kovac’s side come into the game off the back of consecutive league wins and will be buoyed by the return of key players from suspension, although they’ve been dealt a blow with defender Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out for the season with a knee injury. Marcel Sabitzer is also unavailable, but Serhou Guirassy—rested at the weekend—is set to lead the line.
Team News
Barcelona will be without Dani Olmo and long-term absentees Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, and Marc-André ter Stegen. Inigo Martinez is doubtful but could make the bench, while Wojciech Szczesny continues to deputize admirably in goal.
Raphinha, rested over the weekend, should return to the starting lineup, joining Ferran Torres and Lewandowski in a formidable front three, with Yamal also likely to start.
For Dortmund, Niklas Sule returns, but the loss of Schlotterbeck weakens their defensive core. Yan Couto is back in the mix, and Kovac has most of his midfield and attacking options available, with Guirassy set to spearhead the attack.
Form Guide
Barcelona (all competitions): WWWWWD
Barcelona (Champions League): WWWDWW
Dortmund (all competitions): DLWLWW
Dortmund (Champions League): LWWDDW
Prediction
Barcelona’s home form, attacking firepower, and recent momentum make them heavy favourites, especially given Dortmund’s patchy domestic form and struggles on Spanish soil.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund have the tools to score, but Barcelona’s current level and depth should be enough to give them a solid first-leg advantage.