Dortmund's Mountain to Climb: Facing Barcelona in the Champions League
Okay, football fans, let's talk about Tuesday's Champions League clash: Borussia Dortmund versus FC Barcelona. The second leg of the quarter-final. After Barcelona's brutal 4-0 win in the first leg, it feels like the tie’s already decided, right? But hey, this is football. We’ve seen crazier things happen. Could Dortmund pull off the impossible? Let’s dive in.
Is it Over Before it Even Begins?
Honestly, a Barcelona win seems pretty likely. But writing off Dortmund would be a huge mistake. Hansi Flick, their manager – he’s a legend, especially from his Bayern Munich days – knows the Bundesliga inside and out. And Dortmund’s home crowd? Forget about it; that's a whole other beast. Still, Barcelona’s attack is just insane. Lewandowski – back at his old stomping ground – Raphinha, and the young phenom, Lamine Yamal… that trio practically single-handedly demolished Dortmund last time.
Probable Starting Lineups - A Guess, Really
Dortmund: Probably something like Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Süle, Bensebaini; Özcan, Groß, Brandt; Adeyemi, Guittien, Guirassy. But hey, who knows for sure with Flick's unpredictable lineups, right?
Barcelona: I'd guess SzczÄ™sny; Koundé, Araujo, Iñigo MartÃnez, Balde; Pedri, de Jong, F. López; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha. Again, just my best educated guess. Xavi might have a few surprises up his sleeve.
Where to Catch the Action
You can catch all the drama on Canal+ channels and their streaming service, MyCanal. Kick-off’s at 9 PM CEST (UTC+2). Set your reminders!
Raphinha: A Season for the Ages
Raphinha's performance in the first leg? Absolutely electric. His Champions League stats this season are mind-blowing: 12 goals and 7 assists! He's leading the competition in both categories. He’s just two assists away from tying Figo’s Barcelona record. And he’s closing in on Lewandowski and even Ronaldo's all-time Champions League goal totals! The guy's been absolutely instrumental to Barcelona's success, all across the board.
Barcelona's March to the Semi-Finals
That 4-0 victory? It spoke volumes about Barcelona's attacking power. Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Yamal were untouchable. It was a masterclass. While a second-leg win isn’t guaranteed – nothing ever is in football – Barcelona showed their superiority. They’re hungry for that semi-final spot, and I think they'll do everything to get it. This next match is just another step on their journey for Champions League glory.
Will Dortmund Stage a Comeback?
This Dortmund vs. Barcelona game is a must-see for any football fan. While the first leg makes Barcelona the heavy favorites, there's always that sliver of hope for an incredible Dortmund comeback. It’s that hope, that possibility, that makes it so captivating. Tune in to see if Barcelona secures their place in the semi-finals, or if Dortmund can somehow defy all odds.
