La Liga leaders Barcelona host German giants Borussia Dortmund tonight in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash. It marks the first time these two powerful European clubs have met in the knockout stage of the competition.
Barcelona enter the tie as favourites, boasting an impressive unbeaten streak across all competitions stretching back to late December 2024 (22 games). They are chasing their first Champions League trophy since 2015. Dortmund, runners-up last season, aim to reach the semi-finals for a second consecutive year despite recent inconsistent league form, including a loss to RB Leipzig last weekend.
Head-to-Head & Recent Meeting
Barcelona hold the historical advantage, remaining unbeaten in five previous meetings against Dortmund (W3, D2). This includes a dramatic 3-2 away victory at BVB Stadion in the group stage earlier this season (December 11, 2024), where Serhou Guirassy scored twice for Dortmund before Ferran Torres secured a late win for Barcelona.
Team News
Barcelona: The Catalans will be without key midfielder Dani Olmo due to injury, though he may return for the second leg. Centre-back Pau Cubarsí is available again after serving a suspension and is likely to start. Striker Robert Lewandowski will face his former club, having scored 74 goals for Dortmund between 2010 and 2014. Wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are expected to support him in attack.
Dortmund: Niko Kovač faces significant selection issues. Key defender Nico Schlotterbeck and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer are ruled out with injuries sustained recently. Furthermore, versatile midfielder Pascal Groß is suspended after accumulating yellow cards.7 Dortmund will rely heavily on striker Serhou Guirassy, who scored twice against Barcelona in the group stage and is among the Bundesliga’s top scorers.8
Possible Lineups
- Barcelona possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Szczęsny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Martínez, Balde; de Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
- Dortmund possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Anton, Bensebaini; Nmecha, Chukwuemeka; Adeyemi, Brandt, Beier; Guirassy
Form Guide
(Last 5, All Comps – Most Recent First)
- Barcelona: W-D-W-W-W
- Dortmund: L-W-W-L-W
Manager Comments
Hansi Flick (Barcelona): “Dortmund are a very stable team and they play very attacking football. But we have been playing well… Niko [Kovač] will be able to field a good lineup [regardless of injuries]… They are strong defensively.”
Niko Kovač (Dortmund): “We know each other well… We’re aware of the quality of Barcelona’s forwards… We want to take advantage of their weaknesses… I think Barca are favourites tomorrow, but Dortmund played in last season’s final. Anything is possible here.”
Outlook
Barcelona’s formidable home record and current unbeaten run, combined with Dortmund’s significant absences, make the hosts clear favourites for the first leg. However, Dortmund possess genuine attacking threats, particularly Guirassy, and proved last season they can navigate the knockout stages. Expect Barcelona to dominate possession, but Dortmund will look to exploit any defensive frailties on the counter-attack.
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