Barcelona will travel to Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday to face Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. They have a 4-0 lead from the first leg and it’s a mountain to climb for Dortmund.
Barcelona were in charge in the first leg at Camp Nou, Robert Lewandowski scoring twice and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha adding goals to complete a 4-0 win. Hansi Flick’s side have been in great form this season, top of La Liga, in the Copa del Rey final, and now on the verge of the semi-finals in Europe.
For Borussia Dortmund, it’s a desperate situation. Eighth in the Bundesliga, they’ve been inconsistent all season. Niko Kovac has steadied the ship since taking over as manager, but they need a miracle to overturn a 4-0 deficit against one of the in-form teams in Europe.
Team News & Tactics
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund get a boost with Pascal Gross back from suspension, but Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck are out injured. Emre Can is a late doubt with muscle problem,s which could weaken their backline even more.
Kovac might go for a 4-2-3-1 to chase goals. Gregor Kobel will start in goal, with Julian Ryerson and Ramy Bensebaini as fullbacks. Emre Can (if fit) will play alongside Waldemar Anton in central defence. Pascal Gross and Felix Nmecha will anchor midfield, with Julian Brandt as the 10 behind Serhou Guirassy. Jamie Gittens and Karim Adeyemi will provide width on the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Anton, Bensebaini; Gross, Nmecha; Gittens, Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy.
Barcelona
Barcelona have added another injury to the list with Alejandro Balde joining Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines. But Flick has the luxury of rotating the squad, given the comfortable aggregate lead.
The visitors will probably stick with 4-2-3-1. Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal, Jules Kounde and Gerard Martin as full-backs. Ronald Araujo will partner Pau Cubarsi in central defence. Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will control midfield, Fermin Lopez as the No. 10. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal will be the wingers, Robert Lewandowski up front.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Key Stats
-
Borussia Dortmund have never beaten Barcelona in four previous Champions League meetings (D1 L3).
-
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 16 away games across all competitions and have won eight consecutive matches on the road.
-
Dortmund must score at least four goals without conceding to stay alive in this tie—a feat they have never achieved against Barcelona.
Player to Watch: Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski remains one of Europe’s most lethal strikers at 36 years old. With 40 goals this season—including a brace in the first leg—the Polish international will look to add to his tally against his former Bundesliga rivals. His movement and finishing ability could prove decisive as Barcelona aims to seal their semi-final spot.
Dortmund vs Barcelona Prediction
While Borussia Dortmund will likely push hard early on to salvage pride and entertain their home crowd, Barcelona’s quality and defensive organization should see them comfortably progress. Expect Dortmund to score but fall short of mounting a comeback.
Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Barcelona
(Barcelona advance 6-1 on aggregate)
Dortmund vs Barcelona Live Stream
Watch online via NaijaSport247
