Barcelona Aims to Secure Champions League Semifinal Spot Against Dortmund

DORTMUND, Germany — FC Barcelona looks to extend its Champions League success as they face Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final second leg on April 15, 2025, at Signal Iduna Park. With a decisive 4-0 lead from the first leg, Barcelona is a strong favorite to advance to the semifinals.

Manager Hansi Flick is emphasizing the importance of focus and concentration heading into the match, despite his team’s impressive 24-game unbeaten streak. “I have a lot of faith in this team,” Flick told reporters. “We have gone through a lot of games without losing and we should be proud of that. We won’t let our concentration drop.”

Barcelona’s attacking trio of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski proved devastating in the previous match, with Lewandowski scoring twice against his former team. Dortmund faces a formidable challenge; to overturn the deficit, they must score at least five goals while keeping Barcelona from netting any.

In their recent domestic fixture, Barcelona secured their La Liga lead with a narrow 1-0 win over Leganes. Flick insists that the team’s principal focus remains on the Champions League clash, rather than their upcoming Copa del Rey final scheduled for April 26.

Dortmund enters the match with concerns about their recent defensive lapses, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last eight outings. Their vulnerability could play to Barcelona’s advantage, as the Catalans have displayed a relentless offensive style throughout the season.

“We need to focus on our own game,” said Flick. “We want to play well for ourselves and for the traveling fans who always support us.” He added, “Playing Dortmund is always difficult, especially at their stadium.”

With momentum, Barcelona’s players are optimistic as they prepare to take on a Dortmund squad that sits in 8th place in the Bundesliga, winning just 12 of their 28 league matches this season. Dortmund’s manager, Niko Kovac, has spoken about the need for his players to bring confidence to the pitch in pursuit of an upset.

<p“Our goal is to perform well and challenge for a good result,” Kovac said. He acknowledged the uphill battle against Barcelona, stating, “They are certainly the favorites, but we’ve worked hard to get here and we can’t give up.”

Fans and analysts alike are anticipating an electrifying atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park, with Dortmund supporters hopeful of a stunning comeback. Barcelona, however, is poised to control possession and manage the game effectively to secure their place in the semifinals.