FC Barcelona traveled to Germany on Tuesday to play the second leg of their quarter-final in the Champions League. With the result of the first leg at Montjuic, 4-0, the Catalans’ passage seemed more than assured, but the match had to be played to see if Borussia Dortmund could put Hansi Flick’s team in trouble.
Dortmund came out all guns blazing in search of a comeback
Borussia Dortmund started strongly and after a couple of missed chances were awarded a penalty. Szczesny committed it by coming off his line late. At first the linesman raised his flag for a very tight call and, in fact, VAR ruled that the position was legal. Guirassy did not miss from eleven meters, taking the penalty in the Panenka style.
They needed to wake Barça up and not relax in the face of the German team’s start, who not only had the penalty but had already created danger before that. After the 1-0, Dortmund did not relax and scored again. Gross was left alone and did not miss, but he was clearly offside. Barça were struggling to connect up front to score the goal that would have given them some breathing space.
Flick didn’t like the game
Barça’s German coach was not at all happy with the way the game was going. He was showing an almost greater level of intensity in the technical area than his team, whom he was demanding to have more of the ball. He knows the indomitable character of this field. Borussia was pressing the Barça area, but without causing too much danger to a Barça side that was not threatening the opposition area either.
Borussia Dortmund’s energetic performance in the first half was unsettling Barça, who were searching for their essence. Fermin couldn’t find his zone of influence and was getting forward a lot on the right to help Koundé, leaving Gavi very isolated, and above all, De Jong, who was struggling. Barça were not at all comfortable and went in at half-time behind, but the tie was still quite wide open.
Dortmund strike again and Barça respond
Barça came out wanting to show a different face, but Szczesny soon had to intervene with a double save, first to Adeyemi and then to Gross, to prevent the second. A second that didn’t take long to arrive. A goal that made the Germans believe. A long pass, Bensebaini returned it to the heart of the area and Guirassy headed it home.
Barça needed to react and they got the goal that gave them some breathing space in the most unexpected way. An own goal by Bensebaini after he mis-cleared a cross from Fermín. With the introduction of Pedri, the German momentum slowed and Barça started to have a bit more control of the game.
Borussia don’t give up
Borussia did not give up and scored the third. Hat-trick for Guirassy. Duranville broke down the right wing, but the cross was cleared by Araújo. However, his clearance was terrible, it fell to Guirassy and he shot. Shortly afterwards, the fourth goal did not make it onto the scoreboard. Offside prevented the fourth. It was very clear, but Barça was playing with fire.
The German team was laying siege and Barça were not having an easy time of it. Although they had the advantage, they were not on top form throughout the game. Time was running out and the German team needed two goals. It was impossible, but the home team’s attitude was unquestionable throughout the match. Barça were in the semi-finals after a lacklustre game.