Barcelona Hosts Dortmund in Champions League Quarterfinal Showdown

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona will host Borussia Dortmund this Wednesday, April 9, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The two teams meet at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with Barça riding high on a 22-match unbeaten streak in all competitions this year.

The blaugrana squad leads LaLiga and recently emerged as finalists in the Copa del Rey, bolstering their confidence heading into the match. Manager Hansi Flick has nearly a full roster available, missing only Dani Olmo and Marc Casadó due to injuries.

Olmo is sidelined with a lingering injury sustained against Osasuna, while Casadó is expected to remain out until at least May. Nevertheless, the team is poised for a strong performance, with a starting lineup featuring key players like Jules Koundé, Frenkie de Jong, and Robert Lewandowski.

Flick’s strategy will include Koundé and Alejandro Balde on the defensive flanks, while de Jong and Pedri González will control the midfield. Gavi will operate as the attacking midfielder, supporting the offensive trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Lewandowski.

On the bench, Barcelona will have options like Andreas Christensen, who returned last weekend from injury, alongside Ronald Araujo, Eric García, Fermín López, and Ferran Torres.

Despite a solid showing in the Champions League, Dortmund faces challenges with two key injuries and one suspension. The team advanced to this stage after defeating Lille 2-1 in the round of 16, thanks to goals from Emre Can and Maximilian Beier.

Dortmund’s young and dynamic roster, boasting talents like Adeyemi and Brandt, adds speed to their gameplay. However, inconsistency has plagued their performance away from Signal Iduna Park, making the match in Barcelona critical for the German squad as they seek to demonstrate resilience under pressure.

As both teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting match, predictions favor Barcelona, with many suggesting possible scores of 2-1, 2-0, or 3-1. The anticipation is palpable as the Champions League returns to Montjuïc for a night filled with potential drama and excitement.

The match is set to kick off at 3:00 PM ET (9:00 PM local time), and fans can catch the live broadcast on Movistar+ in Spain, DIRECTV in Argentina, and Sky HD in Mexico.

This quarterfinal clash marks a significant moment for both clubs, as Barcelona looks to redeem its position in European football after several seasons marked by inconsistency, while Dortmund aims to assert its presence in this prestigious tournament.