Returning to the Champions League semifinals is always special, but when you do it suffering until the last minute, the feeling is different. FC Barcelona is among the four best teams in Europe again, although not for their best night.
Hansi Flick's team lost 3-1 at the Signal Iduna Park against a Borussia Dortmund side that outplayed them, but the 4-0 advantage gained in the first leg was enough to seal their passage. Despite the defeat, the tie ended 5-3 in favor of the Blaugrana, who did not have a comfortable game and ended up asking for the hour.
A Messy, Unresponsive Startup
From the first minute, Dortmund made it clear that they were going to fight until the end. They came out with high pressure, well organized and with an energy that completely overwhelmed Barça. In less than ten minutes, they had already come close several times to Szczesny's area, who had no respite in the entire first half.
The first goal came after a VAR review that confirmed a penalty for a foul on Gross by the Culé goalkeeper. Guirassy calmly slotted home to ignite the German hopes.
Flick's team, who had rested Pedri and reserved Iñigo Martínez, looked uncomfortable, without control of the game and with many turnovers. The dominance was completely local and only the lack of aim prevented the score from being higher at halftime. Barça did not have a single shot on target in the first 45 minutes.
The atmosphere in Dortmund was festive, and every Borussia attack got the fans out of their seats. Fortunately for the visitors, the second goal did not come before the break, although the German team deserved it. It was clear that if they didn't change something, the risk of elimination was real.
German Storm Did Not Stop After The Break
The start of the second half was just as difficult for Flick's men. As soon as the game resumed, Dortmund were back on the attack and were rewarded with a 2-0 lead. A poorly defended corner ended with another Guirassy goal, this time with a header, and the Signal Iduna Park erupted. Barça remained unresponsive, without ideas, and the third goal seemed closer than the first.
But in an isolated play, fortune struck. Fermín's cross from the left ended in Bensebaini's own goal, which gave Barcelona some breathing space. It was the team's first shot of the match, and they didn't even generate it directly. Still, it was worth gold. At 2-1, the tie seemed more under control.
That goal prompted the first moves on the bench. Flick brought on Pedri to regain some control in the middle. His introduction gave Barça more calm, although it was not enough to avoid the final suffering. Ferran Torres and Eric García were also brought on to reinforce the defense and contain the German pressure.
Dortmund's Final Blow And Heart-stopping Close
Just when it seemed that Barcelona were beginning to calm the game down, another mistake complicated everything. With fifteen minutes to go, Araujo made a mistake at the start that ended up at the feet of Guirassy. The striker made no mistake and completed his hat-trick, making the score 3-1. With just two goals to go to level the tie, Dortmund threw everything into the attack.
The German team even scored a fourth goal through Brandt, but it was disallowed for offside. Two goals had already been disallowed, and the feeling was one of total siege. The last minutes were a constant suffering for Barcelona, who could not get out of their own half and barely managed to clear the opponent's crosses.
Szczesny made several saves and the Culé defense held on as best it could. It was not the best match of Flick's team, far from it, but the advantage gained in the first leg ended up being key. The referee blew the final whistle and, with that, Barça sealed their passage to the semifinals for the first time since 2019. They did it with more anguish than brilliance, but the important thing is that they are still alive in Europe.
Have you already put together your Parlay with these quarterfinal matchups in #LaChampions? ⚽️🤩
Who will surprise in the second leg?
Choose your favorite, predict, win and enjoy our fast payouts 💸
Play now! 📱
➡️ https://t.co/HCS0draMpV pic.twitter.com/uAMR7zbyGF
- Betcris (@Betcris) April 16, 2025
A Big Comeback... With Caveats
Beyond the pass, this match leaves some warning signs for Hansi Flick's team. The lack of control, defensive inaccuracies and poor offensive presence should be a cause for concern, especially ahead of the semifinals where the level will be even higher. Only two shots on goal in the entire match show a performance far below expectations.
However, it is also true that the tie was solved with a great job in the first leg. The 4-0 win at home was decisive, and although the second leg was more complicated than expected, the goal was achieved. Barça is once again among the four best teams in Europe, something that has not happened for six years. They did it with just enough, but they did it.
Now they will have time to recover their energies and prepare for the semifinals, where they will surely need a much stronger version if they want to continue advancing. For now, it's time to celebrate, even if their hearts are still racing.
