Dortmund vs Barcelona: The Miracle the Germans Need to Advance in the UCL
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
Dortmund vs Barcelona: A Miracle Needed in North Rhine-Westphalia
While there’s still some hope that Aston Villa can pull off a comeback this week, the same can’t be said for Borussia Dortmund ahead of their home clash with Barcelona. The top online sportsbooks have Barcelona as heavy favorites not only to reach the semifinals but to win the entire Champions League.
As we’ve noted before, Barça were among the front-runners for the title even before the quarterfinals began. Their dominant first-leg display only strengthened that position, and the Germans will need something truly miraculous if they want to keep their dream of a second consecutive final appearance alive.
Barcelona: The Dominant Force in the First Leg
In the opening leg, the Catalans were clinical in front of goal, converting four of the five big chances they created to run out 4-0 winners. Dortmund had their moments but were left frustrated after failing to at least find the back of the net.
Here’s a quick look at the key stats from the first leg:
| Stat Line | Barca | Dortmund |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 4 | 0 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 3.69 | 1.45 |
| Total Shots | 18 | 13 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 3 |
| Big Chances Created | 5 | 3 |
As you can see from the first leg stats, Dortmund had only 3 clear chances on goal and failed to capitalize each time. The BVB squad we've seen this season both in the UCL and in the Bundesliga just doesn't have the same firepower as in previous seasons.
Dortmund has pulled off some dramatic turnarounds at Signal Iduna Park before—the most recent being their comeback from a 2-1 first-leg deficit to knock out Atlético Madrid 5-4 on aggregate in the 2024 Champions League quarterfinals. But this is a whole different mountain to climb. Overall, Dortmund has struggled for consistency this season.
In our Dortmund vs Barcelona prediction, we’re leaning towards a draw and a cagey affair. Given the fact that Barcelona completely shut down BVB in the first leg, they'll only need to park the bus and frustrate an already struggling German side. What's your take?
Match Details
- Date & Time: Tuesday, April 15 at 3:00 PM ET
- Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
- Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
