Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys. Last year’s finalists Dortmund will be hoping to go one further in the competition this time around, but they’ll have to get past one of the most in-form teams in the world.
By Matt Smith
Considering the two sides don’t play each other too often, it’s not been long since they last faced. Dortmund and Barcelona met earlier in the competition this campaign, with Hansi Flick’s side coming away with a 3-2 victory. Ferran Torres came off the bench to strike twice for the Catalan outfit.
Team news
Barcelona will be without long-term absentees Marc Casado, Marc Bernal and first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, while Dani Olmo is also on the treatment table. Iñigo Martínez was ruled out of Barcelona’s game against Real Betis at the weekend, but there’s a chance he returns for this one.
Dortmund have been dealt a double blow when it comes to injuries, with Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck set to miss out for the away side. Pascal Gross will also be unavailable due to suspension.
Flick’s side are free-flowing in attack
Barcelona have undoubtedly been one of the teams to watch in the competition so far this season. Flick’s men have scored 3.2 goals on average, more than any other side. The Blaugrana also lost just once in the League Phase, finishing second behind Liverpool in the 36-team table.
It’s not just in the Champions League where Barcelona have been on fire. Flick’s side have not lost in since the turn of the year in all competitions and currently sit at the top of their domestic league. The attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski is up there with the best in the world at the moment, and Dortmund are going to have a task on their hands containing them.
Tricky season for Dortmund
Although Dortmund managed to qualify through the play-off stage of the Champions League, it’s been a difficult season overall for the Bundesliga side. Niko Kovač’s side currently sit in eight place in the German top tier and face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League ahead of next term.
There’s been a major gulf in class between Barcelona and Dortmund this season, with the latter undoubtedly going into this game as underdogs. Flick’s side will still have to be wary of Dortmund’s attacking threat, with only Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and of course, Barcelona scoring more goals per game than the Germans.
Raphinha battling for player of the competition
There’s an argument to suggest any of Barcelona’s attacking trio are ones to watch in this game, but Raphinha has stolen the show in the competition this season. The Brazilian winger had provided a combined 16 goals and assists in the Champions League this term, more than any other player.
Scoring 11 goals from just 4.33 xG shows the variety of strikes Raphinha has produced. Keeping him quiet out wide is one thing, but he’s incredibly dangerous when he drifts into central areas and is afforded time and space to fire at goal.
Prediction
With Barcelona playing at home in the opening leg, we’re going for a 2-0 victory to the side from LaLiga on Wednesday.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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