Barcelona Faces Dortmund in Champions League Quarterfinal Showdown

BARCELONA, Spain – April 8, 2025 – FC Barcelona is set to clash with Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Coach Niko Kovac emphasized the need for his team to harness their attacking capabilities against a Barcelona side that has remained unbeaten this year and sits atop La Liga.

“We come here as outsiders as underdogs but it does not make it easier for our opponent,” Kovac stated at a press conference on Tuesday. The match comes on the heels of Barcelona’s triumph over Benfica in the Round of 16, where they secured a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Dortmund, on the other hand, is seeking to improve their eighth-place standing in the Bundesliga after a recent 4-1 win over Freiburg. With just six games left in the season, they face pressure to secure a top-four finish to guarantee Champions League qualification for next year.

Kovac, aware of the formidable attacking line of Barcelona, which features in-form players Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and young talent Lamine Yamal, identified his team’s defensive strategy as key for success. “We have to be disciplined. They are extremely strong in and around the box. We want to use their weaknesses,” he said.

Despite the daunting challenge, Kovac expressed optimism, saying, “We have chances to reach the semi-finals.” He dismissed concerns about Barcelona’s chances of winning a treble, insisting that focus should remain on their immediate challenge.

Barcelona’s Raphinha, currently leading the Champions League in goals with 11 this season, is on the verge of breaking a club record for goal contributions in a single Champions League campaign, a feat previously held by Lionel Messi. Raphinha’s performance has been pivotal this season with 16 goal contributions in 10 appearances.

Speaking ahead of the match, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick reassured fans regarding Raphinha’s fitness. “I don’t have this feeling of burnout. In training, he’s very active and ready for tomorrow’s game,” he affirmed.

Dortmund is facing their own hurdles as they will be without key players due to injury and suspension. Centre-back Mats Hummels is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a meniscus tear, while midfielder Pascal Gross will miss the match due to a yellow card suspension. This could impact Dortmund’s defensive strategy as they prepare to take on one of Europe’s strongest attacking forces.

The match will kick off at 8:00 PM local time and is expected to attract significant attention given both teams’ history and current form. As Barcelona aims for continental glory and Dortmund fights to regain their footing, the quarterfinal clash promises to be a thrilling spectacle.