UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final Preview: Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund (2025).
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund: UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final, First Leg Preview
Five-time UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona will host Borussia Dortmund, last season’s runners-up, in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on Wednesday night.
Barcelona’s pursuit of a sixth European title continues as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
The Blaugrana have been one of Europe’s most dominant teams this season, currently on a 22-match unbeaten run across all competitions. They breezed through their Round of 16 tie, securing a 4-1 aggregate victory over Benfica. In addition to their European ambitions, Barcelona holds a four-point lead at the top of La Liga and has a Copa del Rey final against their fierce rivals, Real Madrid, to look forward to. However, their focus will be firmly on the Champions League come Wednesday night, as they aim to take a crucial advantage into next week’s second leg in Dortmund.
In contrast, Borussia Dortmund has faced a challenging season domestically, sitting in eighth place in the Bundesliga and suffering an early exit from the DFB Pokal at the hands of Wolfsburg. However, they have rediscovered their form in Europe, finishing second in their group before eliminating Sporting CP and Lille to reach the quarter-finals. For Dortmund, the Champions League is their last hope for silverware this season, and it remains their only route to qualifying for next year’s competition.
The two sides previously met in this season’s Champions League, with Barcelona securing a dramatic 3-2 win at Signal Iduna Park, thanks to a late goal from Ferran Torres.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick will be aiming to maintain his perfect record against Dortmund, having won all six of his previous encounters with them during his tenure at Bayern Munich, in addition to his victory over them in the group stages with Barcelona.
Team News:
Barcelona:
Barcelona faces several injury concerns heading into the first leg, with Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Casadó, and Marc Bernal all ruled out for the season. Dani Olmo and Iñigo Martínez are doubtful, with muscle and back issues respectively. Flick opted to rest Raphinha during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Real Betis on Saturday, so the Brazilian winger is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal to form a dangerous attacking trio.
Borussia Dortmund:
Dortmund has been hit with bad news ahead of the first leg. Nico Schlotterbeck, who was set to return from suspension, will miss the rest of the season due to a meniscus tear in his left knee. He joins Marcel Sabitzer on the sidelines, with the Austrian international also nursing a knee injury. Niklas Süle is a doubt for the match after missing Dortmund’s 4-1 victory over Freiburg on Saturday due to a knock. Meanwhile, Pascal Groß will be suspended after receiving his third yellow card of the competition in the Round of 16 against Lille.
Likely Lineups:
Barcelona:
Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Araújo, Balde; De Jong, Gavi, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal
Borussia Dortmund:
Kobel; Anton, Can, Bensebaini; Cuoto, Chukwuemeka, Özcan, Ryerson; Adayemi, Brandt, Guirassy
Key Players:
Barcelona – Raphinha:
Raphinha has taken his game to new heights this season, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous wingers. With 27 goals and 20 assists across all competitions, including an impressive 11 goals and 5 assists in just 10 Champions League appearances, the Brazilian has been a key figure in Barcelona’s success. His performance in the Round of 16, where he scored three goals across two legs to help Barcelona eliminate Benfica, will make him a focal point for Dortmund’s defense.
Borussia Dortmund – Serhou Guirassy:
Dortmund’s summer signing from Stuttgart, Serhou Guirassy, has been outstanding this season, netting 25 goals and registering 8 assists in all competitions. His form in the Champions League has been particularly crucial, scoring 10 goals and providing 5 assists in 12 appearances. Despite Dortmund’s defeat to Barcelona in the group stage, it was Guirassy’s brace that made the match a tense affair, and he will look to replicate that performance in the first leg to give Dortmund a fighting chance heading into the second leg.
Match Details:
Where is the game being played?
The match will be held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain.
What time is kick-off?
The game will kick off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
