Borussia Dortmund Faces Uphill Battle Against Barcelona in Champions League

BERLIN, Germany — Borussia Dortmund is set to host FC Barcelona tonight at 21:00 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, facing a daunting task of overcoming a four-goal deficit from the first leg.

Having suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat in the first match, Dortmund aims to turn the tide against a formidable Barcelona squad. The German team’s manager, Hans-Dieter Flick, must navigate through significant injuries, missing key players such as Ter Stegen, Bernal, Casado, and Dani Olmo.

“We have to make the impossible possible,” Flick stated during the pre-match conference. “The team has trained hard, and we believe in our capability to put on a strong performance in front of our fans at the Signal Iduna Park.”

Dortmund will employ a 4-3-3 formation with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel at the back, supported by defenders Ryerson, Can, Anton, and Bensebaini. The midfield trio consists of Chukwuemeka, Brandt, and Nmecha, while the attacking front includes Adeyemi, Guirassy, and Bynoe-Gittens.

On the opposing side, Barcelona, managed by Niko Kovac, is confident after their overwhelming performance in the first leg. The Catalan team also plays in a 4-3-3 setup, featuring Wojciech Szczesny as goalkeeper, and defenders Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martinez, Cubarsi, and Balde. The midfield comprises Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, and Fermín Lopez, with Robert Lewandowski spearheading the attack alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

“We recognize that we have a strong advantage, but we have to stay focused and not underestimate Dortmund at their home ground,” De Jong commented ahead of the match. “Every Champions League match is a battle.”

The game promises to be intense, as Dortmund looks to ignite their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals, while Barcelona seeks to consolidate their lead and move forward confidently in the tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 21:00.