FC Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund: golden opportunity to take another firm step towards the treble

FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund meet again in the UEFA Champions League 2024-25, after the thrilling match both teams played last December at Signal Iduna Park (2-3 in favor of the Catalans). The Germans now have Niko Kovac on the bench, a coach who was Hansi Flick's assistant at Bayern Munich before winning everything in 2020 with the Bavarians.

• 📺 Schedules and TV: when and where to watch the match live in Spain, Europe, America, Africa, and Asia: WATCH

Both coaches know each other very well, but clearly, the favoritism in this tie is on the side of the Catalans. Borussia is the reigning runner-up of the tournament, but Barcelona's current form is much better, both in La Liga and in the Champions itself. The Catalans are the team with the most victories (8) and goals scored (32), while the 'black-yellow' team had to play the 'play-off' against Sporting CP to qualify for the round of 16.

There, Lille came very close to completing the feat, earning a valuable draw in Germany (1-2). In France, however, Dortmund reacted in time to turn around a very tough tie (1-2) in which they were behind on the scoreboard throughout the first half of the return match. Still, Barcelona's respect for their quarter-final opponent is maximum, as they are a rival with a lot of experience in this type of knockout.

The history against Dortmund smiles at Barcelona

The history, however, clearly favors Barcelona. In the Champions, both teams only faced each other in the group stage of 2019-20, with a Catalan victory at Camp Nou by 3-1 and a goalless draw in Germany (0-0). Previously, the clubs had only met in the final of the European Super Cup in 1997, which ended up being played in January 1998, six months before the World Cup in France.

⚽The three previous encounters between Barça and Dortmund in the Champions:

Barcelona won the first leg 2-0 at Camp Nou, while the return match ended in a draw (1-1). For the Catalans, this was their second European Super Cup. In the 24-25 season, the Catalans finally managed to win at Signal Iduna Park (2-3) thanks to goals from Raphinha and Ferran Torres (double). Serhou Guirassy scored both goals for the hosts in a match that ended goalless in the first half.

⚽UEFA Super Cup 1997:

1. First leg: January 8, 1998 at Camp Nou. FC Barcelona 2-0 Borussia Dortmund. Goals: 1-0, Luis Enrique (min. 8); 2-0, Rivaldo (min. 61).
2. Second leg: March 11, 1998 at Westfalenstadion. Borussia Dortmund 1-1 FC Barcelona. Goals: 0-1, Giovanni Silva (min 8); 1-1, Jörg Heinrich (min 64).

Barcelona seeks to extend its streak in the Champions and this 2025

Barcelona is also on a roll this 2025 and in the Champions, a key factor for Hansi Flick's team considering a hypothetical final in Munich. The Catalans have not lost in the tournament since the first matchday of the league phase, against Monaco (2-1), a match affected by the expulsion of Eric García in the first half. Since then, the team has won six consecutive matches before drawing against Atalanta in the last matchday, already with qualification to the round of 16 secured (2-2).

Barcelona's record in the Champions 24-25:

• 🏟️ Matches played: 10
• 🟢 Matches won: 8
• 🟡 Matches drawn: 1
• 🔴 Matches lost: 1
• ⚽ Goals scored: 32
• ⚽ Goals against: 14

In the first knockout round, Barcelona faced Benfica again. Despite playing most of the first leg with ten men due to Pau Cubarsí's expulsion, the Catalan team secured a golden victory by the minimum (0-1) thanks to a stunning goal from Raphinha. In the return leg, the Brazilian scored another double against his favorite victim, along with another goal from Lamine Yamal to seal qualification (3-1).

Thus, Barcelona remains unbeaten at home in the Champions, with a total of 4 victories and 1 draw. Moreover, the team has not lost this 2025, achieving an unbeaten streak of 22 matches (18 wins, 4 draws) across all competitions. The team remains at the top of LaLiga with a 4-point lead over Real Madrid and is already in the Copa del Rey final, so the feelings, a month and a half before the end of the season, are excellent in Catalonia.

Hansi Flick will be able to count on his best XI this Wednesday

Another favorable point for the Catalans is, without a doubt, the moment the squad is going through. Barcelona will recover Iñigo Martínez for the first leg against Dortmund, a key piece for the defense. Alongside him will be Pau Cubarsí, Jules Koundé, and Alejandro Balde, the defensive line that generates the most confidence for the coaching staff, along with Wojciech Szczesny, who has also become a talisman for the team.

• ℹ️ Lineups: the possible starting XI of FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund: WATCH

 And indeed, in 20 appearances, the Polish player has not known defeat and already has 10 clean sheets. In midfield, Flick will not be able to count on Dani Olmo and Marc Casadó, the only significant absences in the blue and garnet squad in recent weeks. The player from Terrassa hopes to be available for the rematch in Germany next Tuesday, while the midfielder will hardly be able to play again this season.

Despite this, the great work of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri González has been enough for Barcelona to maintain the high level of play with which they have shone in all competitions for most of the 24-25 season. Alongside them will be Gavi, as an attacking midfielder, behind the most lethal offensive trio in Europe: Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski. 

Dortmund arrives in Barcelona heavily hit by absences

Very different is the current situation of the Borussia squad. Niko Kovac will not be able to count on Wednesday with Pascal Groß, due to suspension, nor with Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck. Sabitzer hopes to return for the second leg in Germany, after suffering a knee injury in a match against RB Leipzig. Nico, on the other hand, said goodbye to the season due to a torn meniscus in his left knee last weekend against Freiburg.

In that match, defender Ramy Bensebaini also left injured, although that will not prevent him from being in the XI in Montjuïc. Dortmund, far from the Champions League spots in the Bundesliga and eliminated from the Pokal, is betting everything on the tie against Barcelona to try to salvage a season that began with Nuri Sahin on the bench. Kovac's arrival has given the team a new air, but clearly, due to current form and quality, Barcelona is a strong favorite to advance to the 'semis'.

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