In a bid to pull off an audacious comeback akin to Barcelona’s legendary remontada, Borussia Dortmund welcome the Spanish heavyweights to Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
The German outfit are staring down the barrel of elimination after suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat in the first leg, where Hansi Flick’s high-flying side put one foot firmly in the last four, awaiting either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich.
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Dortmund vs. Barcelona: Prediction, Team News, Lineups
While memories of the formidable Messi-Neymar-Suarez trident remain fresh in football folklore, Barcelona’s current frontline of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski is proving to be just as electrifying.
All three stars made their mark in the dominant first-leg performance. Lewandowski bagged a brace against his former club, with Raphinha and Yamal also finding the net.
Raphinha’s contribution even saw him equal Lionel Messi’s club record of 19 goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign.
With such a mountain to climb, Dortmund fans may already be mourning their team’s continental hopes.
The stats certainly don’t favour them: of the 159 previous occasions a team has lost the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie by four goals or more, only once has a side turned it around.
That solitary miracle? Barcelona’s iconic 2017 comeback against PSG.
Despite holding Bayern Munich to a commendable 2-2 draw in Der Klassiker over the weekend, Dortmund’s inconsistency this season, especially at home, paints a bleak picture.
They have secured just three wins in their last 12 matches at the Signal Iduna Park, including a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the group stage.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are thriving. Their six-game unbeaten run against Dortmund in Europe is matched only by their seven-game streak over Rangers between 1996 and 1999. And more impressively, their 1-0 league win over Leganes at the weekend extended their unbeaten start to 2025 to 24 matches, their best-ever run at the beginning of a calendar year.
Flick’s men are eyeing a historic quadruple. With the La Liga title seemingly in the bag, a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid looming on April 26, and the Supercopa de Espana already secured, Barcelona are a force in full flight.
Victory in Dortmund would mark a ninth straight away win, an unprecedented streak for the Catalans, and extend their unbeaten run on the road to 17 matches.
The last time they were defeated away was back in November against Real Sociedad.
Barcelona’s dominance over German opposition is also worth noting. After a five-game losing streak, they’ve now secured three consecutive Champions League victories against Bundesliga sides, including a 4-1 rout of Bayern Munich earlier in the season.
Borussia Dortmund Champions League form: WWDDWL
Dortmund (all competitions): WLWWLD
Barcelona Champions League form: WWDWWW
Barcelona (all competitions): WWWDWW
Team News
Dortmund’s midfield will receive a boost with the return of Pascal Gross from suspension. He already slotted back into the side during the Klassiker on Saturday.
However, Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck remain sidelined with knee issues, with the latter facing a long spell out. Emre Can is also a doubt with a muscular problem, leaving Kovac potentially short of midfield options.
Considering their need to score heavily, Kovac may opt for a more attacking 4-2-3-1 system rather than sticking with a three-man defense.
Barcelona were dealt a blow during their win over Leganes, as Alejandro Balde suffered a hamstring injury expected to sideline him for the rest of the month. Gerard Martin is likely to step in at left-back.
The visitors are also missing Marc Bernal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Marc Casado, all out with knee problems.
Dani Olmo has recovered from his adductor strain and returns to the squad. Fermin Lopez, who assisted Lewandowski’s second goal in the first leg, should retain his spot over Gavi.
With Raphinha nursing a minor ankle knock, Ferran Torres could also feature.
Borussia Dortmund possible XI:
Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Gross, Nmecha; Gittens, Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy
Barcelona possible XI:
Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski
Dortmund’s approach to this seemingly impossible fixture will be interesting, especially given their domestic obligations. Though last season’s runners-up might claw back a couple of goals, Barcelona’s high-powered attack is likely to see them through with ease.
Last year’s runners-up have our vote to get a couple of goals back, but Barcelona’s phenomenal attack should have the final say as Flick’s side stroll into the semi-finals without too much fuss.
