Borussia Dortmund are gearing up for a daunting challenge as they prepare to host FC Barcelona in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, April 15.
Following a crushing 4-0 defeat in the first leg at Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Dortmund needs a near-miraculous comeback to advance to the semifinals.
In the first leg, Barcelona dominated with goals from Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and a brace from Robert Lewandowski, who haunted his former club.
The Catalan side’s relentless attack overwhelmed Dortmund, who struggled to convert their chances despite a few promising moments.
Fans reflected the sentiment, noting that Barcelona’s commanding performance left Dortmund with a steep hill to climb.
Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovač, remains defiant, emphasizing the power of the home crowd. “The Yellow Wall can change everything,” Kovač said in a pre-match press conference.
“We know it’s tough, but football is unpredictable, and we’ll fight until the end.” Key players like Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi will be crucial, though the team faces concerns over injuries, with no confirmation yet on whether Pascal Gross will return.
Bayern Munich, under Hansi Flick, is brimming with confidence. Unbeaten in 2025 and boasting a formidable front three, the Blaugrana aim to seal their semifinal spot.
“We respect Dortmund’s quality, but we’ll play our game,” Flick told reporters. There’s optimism around midfielder Dani Olmo’s potential return, though Flick remains cautious about rushing him back.
The match kicks off at 10:00 PM, with Barcelona holding a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Dortmund’s hopes rest on an early goal to ignite their famously passionate fans, but Barcelona’s firepower and defensive solidity make them heavy favorites to progress. The winner will face either Bayern Munich or Inter Milan in the semifinals.
