Barcelona welcomed Borussia Dortmund to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match.
With the Camp Nou undergoing renovations, the Blaugrana’s makeshift home was an electric platform for a match that would define their European campaign.
Here are the 5 things we learned:
1. Barcelona’s Attack Play Promising, But Finishing Must Improve
Barcelona started the match with tremendous energy, creating three clear opportunities in the first 10 minutes.
But their inability to convert early opportunities has been the curse of their season thus far.
Lewandowski, on his part, had previously wasted a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, showing that even the best strikers have off days when they are not able to put it all together.
Young guns like Lamine Yamal and Fermín López also showed brilliance but were unable to deliver a knockout punch at the important moments.
Barcelona must improve their finishing—especially in high-pressure matches—because top-notch opponents will not provide them with second chances.
2. Raphinha has been Barcelona’s Champions League game-winner
Raphinha’s performance against Dortmund further cemented his status as Barcelona’s most lethal European attacker this season.
Not only did he score the first goal, but his selfless pass for Lewandowski’s first goal demonstrated his growing maturity in terms of decision-making.
With 12 Champions League goals and 19 total goal contributions, he has been Barceloa’s most reliable attacking threat in the competition.
His work rate, movement off the ball, and capacity to create space for himself make him a must-have player in high-pressure matches.
Although Lewandowski is the target man, Raphinha’s contribution means that Barcelona no longer has to rely solely on their striker for goals.
3. Barcelona’s High Defensive Line is a High-Risk, High-Reward Strategy
Hansi Flick’s roll of the dice in deploying an attacking high line paid off in spectacular style against Dortmund.
Dortmund’s frontmen were left up against it time and again, and Jules Koundé’s leadership exhibition negated Karim Adeyemi’s attacking threat out wide.
17-year-old Pau Cubarsí performed with extraordinary maturity, and Barcelona’s faith in youth policy is vindicated.
The overall point is that Barcelona’s defense is better organized than it was last season, but flexibility will be the key against tougher examinations.
4. Barcelona’s Counter-Attacking Threat Provides a New Dimension to Their Game
Traditionally known for possession football, Barcelona demonstrated their capacity to damage sides on the break against Dortmund.
Their third and fourth goals were the result of rapid transitions, with Yamal, Fermín, and Lewandowski combining with ruthless precision.
The transformation makes Barça more unpredictable—opponents can no longer just park the bus and soak up pressure, as the Catalans now possess the pace and directness to damage them in transition.
Players such as Yamal and Raphinha offer the pace required for rapid transitions, and Lewandowski in the box ensures that there is always a focal point.
If Barcelona can continue to blend possession mastery with deadly counter-attacks, they will be much harder to defend against in the latter stages of the Champions League.
5. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong Elevate Barcelona’s Midfield to a Whole New Level Pedri’s impact was seen, although he was not directly responsible for scoring a goal.
Holding up the ball in crowded spaces, midfield-forward link-play, and the ability to manage the game gave Barcelona complete dominance in the match.
When combined with Fermín, they were a three-man midfield that Dortmund just could not bypass. The work now is to keep them fit because their availability is what makes the difference between Barcelona being a very good side and an elite side.
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