Barcelona reach Champions League semis despite defeat at Dortmund

Barcelona reach Champions League semis despite defeat at Dortmund

Ends 24-Game Unbeaten Streak, but Barça Advance to Champions League Semifinals

Borussia Dortmund delivered a scintillating performance at Signal Iduna Park, defeating Barcelona 3-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie on April 15, 2025.

Barcelona reach Champions League semis despite defeat at Dortmund

Despite the loss, Barcelona secured a 5-3 aggregate victory, advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2019. The result snapped Barcelona’s remarkable 24-game unbeaten streak in 2025, with Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy stealing the spotlight with a clinical hat-trick.

Dortmund’s Dominant Display

Dortmund, trailing 4-0 from the first leg, came out with relentless intensity, fueled by the electric atmosphere of the Yellow Wall.

From the opening whistle, they pressed high and overwhelmed Barcelona’s defense. Guirassy opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a cheeky Panenka penalty after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny fouled Pascal Gross.

The Guinea striker doubled his tally four minutes into the second half, heading in a corner redirected by Ramy Bensebaini. Guirassy completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, capitalizing on a Ronald Araújo error to power a shot into the roof of the net.

Dortmund’s attacking rhythm was unrelenting, registering 11 shots on target and generating an expected goals (xG) total of 3.85 compared to Barcelona’s meager 0.49—the largest xG differential in a Champions League knockout match this season.

Pascal Gross, returning from suspension, was a driving force in midfield, while Karim Adeyemi’s pace troubled Barcelona’s backline. Despite their dominance, Dortmund fell short of overturning the four-goal deficit, with Bensebaini’s 54th-minute own goal—off a Fermín López cross—proving decisive in calming Barcelona’s nerves.

Barcelona’s Streak Ends, but into Semifinals

Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, entered the match unbeaten in 2025, boasting 19 wins and four draws across all competitions.

Their first-leg demolition of Dortmund, powered by Robert Lewandowski’s brace and goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, had all but sealed their place in the final four.

However, the Catalans were outplayed in Dortmund, struggling to create chances and relying on Szczesny’s key saves to stay in the tie. The own goal provided a lifeline, allowing Barcelona to weather the storm and secure their first semifinal berth in six years.

The victory keeps Barcelona’s treble hopes alive, with the team also through to the Copa del Rey final and leading La Liga by four points. They will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the semifinals, with the second leg of that tie scheduled for April 16.

Coaches’ Reactions

Dortmund coach Niko Kovač, while disappointed with the elimination, praised his team’s effort.

“We saw a great game of football, especially from my team. It was high intensity with a lot of forward pressure,” Kovač said. “We inflicted Barcelona’s first defeat in 2025, and that says a lot. We can be very proud of ourselves.”

Barcelona’s Hansi Flick acknowledged Dortmund’s superiority on the night but emphasized the bigger picture.

“Dortmund did very well. We did not have our best day,” Flick admitted. “I had a feeling something like this would happen because I know this stadium well. But congratulations to my team we’re in the semifinals. We’re happy.” Flick also noted the need to remind his players of their achievement after the loss, underscoring the significance of reaching the last four.

Fan Reactions

The result sparked a mix of emotions among fans. Dortmund supporters took to social media to celebrate the team’s spirited performance, with many hailing Guirassy’s hat-trick. “Guirassy was unreal tonight. We showed Barça we’re no pushovers,” one fan posted on X. Others expressed frustration at the first-leg deficit, with comments like, “If only we’d shown up in Barcelona, we could’ve done this.”

Barcelona fans, while relieved to advance, were critical of the team’s display. “That was the worst we’ve looked in months. No shots, no control, saved by an own goal,” one supporter wrote on X. Another fan remarked, “Barça lose 3-1 and still make the semis—only us! But we missed Pedri badly, and Flick’s got work to do.” Some fans remained optimistic, with one posting, “First semifinal since 2019! We’re still on for the treble!”

Historical Context

Dortmund’s victory marked their first-ever win over Barcelona in European competition, ending a six-game winless streak (four losses, two draws).

However, it was not enough to prevent Barcelona from becoming the first team to win away at Dortmund twice in a single European campaign, following their 3-2 league-phase victory in December 2024.

Read this:

For Barcelona, the semifinal appearance signals a resurgence under Flick, who has transformed the team after years of European struggles.

Prior to this season, Barcelona had lost five straight Champions League matches against German sides by an aggregate score of 19-2. Their 2025 wins over Bayern Munich (4-1) and Dortmund (3-2, 4-0) highlight a newfound resilience against Bundesliga opposition.

Share This Post: