Barcelona’s flawless start to 2025 hits a bump as Borussia Dortmund’s 3-1 victory sparks concerns, but a Champions League semifinal berth keeps hopes alive.
Barcelona’s journey to the Champions League semifinals has taken a sharp turn after a tough 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. While the Catalan giants progressed to the final four with a 5-3 aggregate score, the defeat has raised serious questions about their form and fitness as they continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple.
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona had been the tournament’s most exciting team this season, and for the first time in years, they were viewed as real contenders to lift the trophy. However, the defeat in Germany served as a wake-up call, one that sapped the team’s confidence despite their impressive first-leg win.
“There wasn’t a great atmosphere in the dressing room… it was only when I reminded them, ‘Lads, we’re in the semifinals,’ that the mood lightened a bit,” Flick explained post-match.
Barcelona’s season had started strong, but a disappointing slump in late 2024 threatened to derail their ambitions. After a winter recovery, they had regained momentum, but Wednesday’s setback in Dortmund underscored how quickly things can change—especially with a relentless fixture list that includes high-stakes battles for LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
“It’s important to analyze this game,” said Flick. “We’ve played a lot of matches recently, and dips in form are to be expected. But we must learn from this.”
The Dortmund defeat marked the seventh game in just 20 days for Barcelona, and it highlighted the toll of such a demanding schedule. Flick’s decision to rest key players backfired, as the team struggled without midfield dynamo Pedri González, who was left on the bench. With the hosts dominating the ball, Barcelona couldn’t assert control, and their defensive fragility was exposed.
Inigo Martínez was also given a break, with Ronald Araujo stepping in, but the Uruguayan center-back’s performance was far from his best after recovering from injury.
Adding to Barcelona’s injury woes, left-back Alejandro Balde remains sidelined, and Gerard Martin, limited in his abilities, will have to step up in the coming weeks—especially with El Clásico looming in the Copa del Rey final on April 26.
Defender Jules Koundé admitted the team’s shortcomings: “We weren’t at our best. We made mistakes, lost focus… Flick told us at halftime we needed to improve.”
Guirassy Haunts Barça
Serhou Guirassy’s hat-trick for Dortmund served as a stark reminder of Barcelona’s vulnerability, with the striker’s ruthless performance flashing back to some of the club’s painful European defeats, including the infamous 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
After Guirassy’s brace, an own goal from Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini helped ease the tension for Barcelona, but the forward added a third to set up a tense finale. While the defeat was a blow, Flick remains determined to focus on the positives ahead of Barcelona’s crucial LaLiga clash against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
“We didn’t show our best form today, but we’ve made huge progress this season. We’re still in three competitions, and we’re in the Champions League semifinals. That’s something to be proud of,” Flick said.
Barcelona’s attacking game, powered by the likes of Raphinha and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, has been electric this season, but recent performances from both wingers have lacked the spark they had earlier. With defensive mistakes—like Wojciech Szczesny’s penalty blunder and Araujo’s misstep leading to Guirassy’s third—Barcelona’s weaknesses at the back could be their undoing.
Despite the concerns, Barcelona still holds a four-point lead over Real Madrid in LaLiga, but the two will meet in a crucial title-deciding clash on May 11, with the Copa del Rey final also on the horizon.
In the Champions League, either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich await, and both will be eager to exploit the same defensive cracks Dortmund exposed. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Barcelona looks to regroup and push toward a potential historic quadruple.
Barça’s Quadruple Dream Shaken by Dortmund Defeat, but Semifinal Spot Still in Reach
