Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona
Hands up anyone who thinks this Champions League tie is not over?
No, I didn’t think so.
This SBOTOP observer always had Borussia Dortmund down as the weakest of the remaining quarter-finalists; a shadow of their former self.
And it is with the utmost respect when I say that it was only because of a favourable draw that they managed to reach last season’s final.
So let us make it clear, whatever Champions League 2025 highlights they may provide in this week’s second leg, the tie is over.
Talking Points
By contrast, Barcelona must be beginning to think this could be their year.
First their arch rivals and likely biggest threat to the title, Real Madrid, were left facing a mountain to climb – even by their own remarkable powers of recovery, it would take something sensational for the holders to overturn a 3-0 first leg reverse to Arsenal.
Fast forward 24 hours and Barca were putting their opponents to bed in emphatic fashion.
On a night in which Raphinha equalled Lionel Messi’s club record for goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign, the Catalans thrashed Dortmund to take command.
The Brazilian forward scored and assisted twice to reach 19 goal involvements in the competition this term, the same as Messi achieved in 2011-12.
His 12th European goal of the season gave them a deserved first-half lead, before Robert Lewandowski struck twice after the break (against the club where he made his name) and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal added a fourth to put the Spanish side on course for the semi-finals.
Given the second leg comes just a few days after Dortmund have travelled to their rivals, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich (a 2-2 draw which at least continued some consistent domestic form), it makes you wonder how much they will have left.
In many ways, Lewandowski’s double in the first leg illustrated perfectly how Dortmund have simply not been able to compete for the major honours on a consistent basis over the past decade.
He actually scored 103 goals in 187 competitive appearances for Dortmund between 2010 and 2014 before moving onto Bayern Munich and, now, Barca.
Put simply, a failure to hold onto their best players has damaged them time and time again and this season is no different.
With Serhou Guirassy continually serving up goals – he is the joint-third highest scorer in this season’s Champions League charts on 10 goals, level with Bayern’s Harry Kane, one behind Lewandowski (11) and two behind Raphinha (12) – and Jamie Gittens shining on the wing, the Black-Yellows certainly have quality.
However, it’s not at the overall level required and, in many ways, new boss Niko Kovač knows his main focus now is to restore some pride and ensure he can improve their Bundesliga position to climb up the table and return to the competition next season.
History
For two clubs with such pedigree, it may surprise you to learn these sides had only met five times competitively before last week.
In 1997 they faced each other in the two-legged UEFA Super Cup when Dortmund were European champions and Barca had lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup under the tutelage of the late Sir Bobby Robson.
Barcelona were too strong over two legs, winning the first leg at home 2-0, thanks to goals from Luis Enrique and a Rivaldo penalty.
They also took the lead in the second leg in Germany through Giovanni.
While Jorg Heinrich equalised on the night, Barca held on for a 3-1 aggregate success.
Their other meetings came in the group stages in the 2019-20 competition.
In Germany, the sides played out a goalless draw when there were few attacking fireworks on display in the Signal Iduna Park. Barcelona only escaped with a point that night courtesy of Marc-André ter Stegen’s penalty save from Marco Reus.
The return went the way of the Catalans who were 3-1 victors, thanks to goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann before Jadon Sancho netted a fine consolation.
By a quirk of the calendar, these two also met four months ago when they locked horns in the group stages,a five goal contest in Germany which Barca edged.
On that occasion, all the goals arrived in the second half with Ferran Torres grabbing the winner five minutes from time after Dortmund had twice fought back to Raphinha and Torres goals via a Guirassy (two, one penalty) double.
Betting Tip
Only Barcelona, with 36, have scored more goals than Dortmund’s 28 in this term’s Champions League so, even with the tie all but over, it’s reasonable to expect goals in this second leg.
The Champions League 2025 betting odds options include Over 3.50 of them @ 2.14, Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.26 and 4-6 @ 2.36.
I suspect there will be a few and I expect Dortmund will avoid defeat so my ** prediction is 1X2 Draw @ 3.72.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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