[24-25 Champions League QF 1st Leg] Barcelona vs Dortmund – Will Yamal or Guirassy Decide the Game?

📆 Match Info

• Competition: UEFA Champions League (UCL)
• Date & Time (KST): April 11 (Thu), 4:00 AM
• Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Barcelona Home)
• Broadcast: Coupang Play

🔴 Barcelona (Home)

Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona remain unbeaten in 2025, pushing steadily toward a potential treble. Though they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis over the weekend, their momentum remains strong.

Barcelona currently top LaLiga and boast an impressive home record in the Champions League this season (4 wins, 1 draw). The spotlight shines on Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation who has recorded 13 goals and 19 assists. He plays with fearless confidence, saying it feels like "playing PES," and continues to thrive alongside Raphinha and Lewandowski in attack.

✅ Last 5 Matches

• Barcelona 1-1 Real Betis (Draw)
• Atlético Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (Win)
• Barcelona 4-1 Girona (Win)
• Barcelona 3-0 Osasuna (Win)
• Atlético Madrid 2-4 Barcelona (Win)

4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 matches, including dominant wins over top-half teams, showing Flick’s tactical stability and the team's strong push toward the treble.

🚑 Injuries

• Marc-André ter Stegen (ACL injury)
• Marc Casado (Ligament injury)
• Marc Bernal (Season-ending injury)
• Dani Olmo (Muscle injury)

✔ Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1)

• GK: Szczesny
• DF: Balde, Iñigo Martínez, Cubarsí, Koundé
• MF: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri
• AM: Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha
• FW: Lewandowski

🟡 Borussia Dortmund (Away)

Last season's UCL finalists Dortmund head to Barcelona aiming to pull off an upset. Their recent 4-1 win over Freiburg has boosted confidence, and they've won 4 of 6 away UCL games this season.

However, they face notable absences: Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer, Gross, and Bensebaini are all out, forcing defensive adjustments. Emre Can and Anton will pair up at center-back, while Nmecha and Chukwuemeka will anchor the midfield. Dortmund's hopes rest on the attacking trio of Adeyemi, Brandt, and Guirassy executing swift transitions.

✅ Last 5 Matches

• Freiburg 1-4 Dortmund (Win)
• Dortmund 3-1 Mainz (Win)
• RB Leipzig 2-0 Dortmund (Loss)
• Lille 1-2 Dortmund (Win)
• Dortmund 0-1 Augsburg (Loss)

3 wins and 2 losses in their last 5 – showing attacking revival, but still prone to defensive lapses especially against stronger teams.

🚑 Injuries

• Nico Schlotterbeck (Season-ending knee injury)
• Marcel Sabitzer (Knee ligament injury)
• Pascal Gross (Suspension)
• Ramy Bensebaini (Unavailable)
• Cole Campbell (Knock)

✔ Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1)

• GK: Kobel
• DF: Svensson, Emre Can, Anton, Ryerson
• MF: Nmecha, Chukwuemeka
• AM: Adeyemi, Brandt, Beier
• FW: Guirassy

📊 Head-to-Head (Last 3 Meetings)

• 2024.12.11 – Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona
• 2019.11.27 – Barcelona 3-1 Dortmund
• 2019.09.17 – Dortmund 0-0 Barcelona

Barcelona lead with 2 wins and 1 draw; unbeaten in all 3 previous encounters.

🔍 Key Tactical Preview

This match features contrasting styles: Barcelona will dominate possession and look to break down Dortmund’s defensive block, while the visitors will rely on fast transitions and the pace of Adeyemi and Guirassy to strike back. The duel between Lamine Yamal and Ryerson on the wing, and the ability of Dortmund's makeshift midfield to cope with Gavi and Pedri, will be pivotal.

🎯 Prediction

With home advantage, better squad depth, and stronger recent form, Barcelona are expected to control the tie. Dortmund’s attacking trio can pose threats, but their depleted defense and midfield may struggle against Barcelona’s fluid combinations and pressing.

Predicted score: Barcelona 3-1 Dortmund

Key factors: midfield control, individual quality (Yamal), defensive stability.

💬 Your Thoughts?

Who do you think will win this Champions League clash?
Can Lamine Yamal keep dazzling Europe?
Will Dortmund’s counter-attacks break Barcelona’s unbeaten streak?
👇 Leave your predictions and thoughts in the comments!

 

 

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