Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are set to lock horns in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on 9 April 2025 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
In their three previous encounters in UEFA tournaments, Barcelona have recorded two wins and one draw. Their last game being the 3-2 win by Barca in the league stage of this season’s Champions League with Nuri Sahin at the helm at Borussia Dortmund.
Barcelona Form Guide and Predictions
Under the guidance of manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona have maintained an impressive run of results this season.
Their recent performances in La Liga and Copa Del Rey—such as a 1–o win against Atletico Madrid, a commanding 4–1 victory over Girona, and a 3–0 win against Osasuna—highlight their dominance.
Barca are top of the summit in La Liga and their attacking unit is a well-oiled machine: Raphinha has been in sensational form, contributing 11 Champions League goals alongside 20 assists in all competitions, while Robert Lewandowski continues to deliver with his clinical finishing—having scored 9 goals in Europe this season and maintaining a record of at least 20 league goals for 14 consecutive seasons.
Frenkie de Jong’s vision and passing accuracy (currently at 87% in La Liga) allow him to orchestrate the midfield, complementing Pedri’s creative spark—whose 5 assists this season have come at the right time.
“We can dream—but we must always keep our feet on the ground. Our attackers, especially Raphinha and Lewandowski, are in outstanding form. We have prepared extensively for this challenge and know that every pass and transition counts when facing a team like Dortmund.”
Flick remains characteristically confident.
Lamine Yamal, despite being criticised for his performance in the 1-1 draw v Real Betis, can turn the game on its head, especially against less experienced defenders.
Gavi recently impressed against Real Betis and is expected to add his two assists.
Defensively, the likes of Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martínez (back from injury), and Pau Cubarsí are key in keeping Dortmund attackers at bay, while goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny’s leadership—bolstered by 20 consecutive games without a loss on the line—adds an extra layer of security.
Borussia Dortmund Form Guide and Predictions
In contrast, Borussia Dortmund, managed by Niko Kovac now, sit in the 8th spot in Bundesliga. They have struggled for consistency in domestic fixtures this season but have shown flashes of attacking flair recently that can trouble even the best defenses.
The head-to-head record favors Barcelona, but Kovac is aware that Dortmund’s recent reformation—evidenced by a 4–1 victory over Freiburg last weekend and a 3-1 win against Mainz before that—could offer the necessary spark to challenge the favorites.
Dortmund’s emerging striker Serhou Guirassy, who has netted close to 10 goals in the Champions League, represents one of their most significant threats.
Both Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt can be expected to contribute both goals and assists for Dortmund.
However, the visitors have been hit by setbacks, including the long-term absence of defensive stalwart Nico Schlotterbeck, an injury that has forced Kovac to rethink his backline.
“We know the attacking power we are about to face. Barcelona’s forward trio—Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres—is world class, and we must be disciplined in defense to contain them. I prefer to play against the better team, but if we are compact and focused, we have every chance to challenge them.”
Kovac issues warning to his players.
Betting Predictions
Score prediction of 3–1 in favor of Barcelona.
- Barcelona to win the first half: Renowned for their high‐pressing and attacking start—evidenced by their strong record in home first halves—Barcelona’s early momentum has been a key factor this season.
- Under 3.5 total goals: Knockout ties often tend to feature tighter defences and cautious play, especially given Dortmund’s need to remain compact to counter.
- Anytime goal bet on Robert Lewandowski: With his tally currently standing at 9 Champions League goals—and with his record of scoring in almost every game—oddsmakers have frequently priced him as a “score anytime” option.
