Barcelona will host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday at 9 PM local time (19:00 GMT). The game will be played at Berlin’s beautiful Olympic Stadium, built for and used in the 1936 Olympics. Both teams will be battling tooth and nail for a dream opening as they seek European glory. Barcelona remains the favorite, fueled by a hurricane of momentum and an impressive history of success against their German rivals.
The Catalan giants are absolutely killing it! They are unbeaten in their last 22 matches in all competitions, underlining their recent dominance on the domestic front. They now sit atop LaLiga and are hell bent on winning back the Champions League trophy they last hoisted in 2015. Barcelona’s impressive form includes a 3-2 victory over Dortmund in a group stage match in December, further enhancing their confidence heading into this encounter.
Barcelona’s Expected Lineup
Here’s how Barcelona could line up for the matchup, blending experience with a wealth of youthful talent. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny should be on the field. He’ll be supported by a formidable cavalry of defensive line comprised of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Lisandro Martinez, and Alejandro Balde. In midfield, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will anchor play, while Lamine Yamal, Gavi, and Raphinha provide width and creativity. Leading the charge will be Robert Lewandowski, who will go up against his old club for the first time since departing Dortmund.
Cubarsi returns to the lineup after a one-game suspension. Sadly, Dani Olmo will miss the game through injury while Pascal Gross has been ruled out due to suspension. The absence of these key players could impact Dortmund’s strategy as they look to challenge Barcelona’s robust defense.
Historical Context
Barcelona has a terrific record against Borussia Dortmund. Indeed, they’ve not lost in their last five encounters, picking up three victories and two stalemates on their travels to Bristol. This history provides an additional layer of confidence as they head into this repeat match-up. The last encounter in December saw Barcelona edge out a close victory at BVB Stadion, which may serve as a psychological advantage for the hosts.
Despite their historical struggles against Barcelona in recent years, Dortmund arrives at the quarterfinals with aspirations of upsetting the odds. Niko Kovac, Dortmund’s manager, acknowledges the challenge ahead but remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“We know each other well and appreciate each other as people. We’re aware of the quality of Barcelona’s forwards, and we’ll have to defend well. We want to take advantage of their weaknesses, and we come here to try to win the game. I think Barca are favourites tomorrow, but Dortmund played in last season’s final. Anything is possible here.” – Niko Kovac
Key Players to Watch
With Robert Lewandowski to make his much anticipated reunion with Dortmund, that provides a sensational subplot for the match. The Polish striker scored 74 goals in 131 appearances for Dortmund between 2010 and 2014 before moving to Bayern Munich and eventually joining Barcelona. Barcelona will need him to bring all his experience and goal-scoring know-how to the table. They’re going to look to exploit any breakdown in Dortmund’s high defense.
Borussia Dortmund will be relying heavily on their new attacking spearhead Serhou Guirassy. He’s the kind of player who can pounce on whatever mistake Barcelona’s defense makes. Guirassy’s speed and technical ability pose a significant threat that Barcelona must contain to secure victory.
Legendary German football personality Hans Flick shared his thoughts on the collision course they found themselves on.
“Dortmund are a very stable team and they play very attacking football. But we have been playing well at home and away in the Champions League. They are strong defensively and I wish all the best to their injured players.” – Hans Flick
