On April 15, 2025, the return match of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals took place at the legendary Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, where Borussia Dortmund faced off against Barcelona. The game kicked off at 22:00 Kyiv time, and despite Borussia's daunting task of overcoming a 0:4 deficit from the first leg in Catalonia, they aimed to deliver a memorable performance in front of their home crowd.
After a crushing defeat in the first match, Borussia Dortmund's hopes of progressing to the semi-finals seemed slim. However, fans remained optimistic, recalling the thrilling encounters between the two teams earlier in the season, which had produced a total of nine goals. The winner of this match would advance to the semi-finals to meet either Bayern Munich or Inter Milan, with Milan holding a 2:1 advantage after their first leg.
Both teams fielded strong lineups, with Borussia Dortmund under the guidance of new coach Nico Kovac, who had replaced Niko Kovač earlier in the season. The predicted lineup for Dortmund included Kobel, Anton, Zule, Dzhana, Ozzdzhan, Gross, Brandt, Svensson, Reuerson, Bayer, and Girassi. Meanwhile, Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, showcased a revamped squad that had already claimed the Spanish Super Cup and was leading La Liga.
The first half began with Borussia applying pressure, and it didn’t take long for them to find the back of the net. In the 11th minute, Seru Girassi converted a penalty with a cheeky 'panenka' after a foul by Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczęsny on Pascal Gross. This marked Girassi's 11th goal of the Champions League season, breaking the Borussia record for the most goals in a single season, previously held by Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland.
Just minutes into the second half, Girassi struck again, scoring with a header in the 49th minute following a well-placed assist from Rami Bensebaini. The home crowd erupted in cheers, igniting hopes of an improbable comeback. However, disaster struck for Dortmund in the 54th minute when Bensebaini inadvertently scored an own goal, cutting Borussia's momentum.
Despite this setback, Girassi completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, showcasing his clinical finishing ability and giving Dortmund a glimmer of hope. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award, as he became only the fourth Borussia player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, a feat last accomplished by Karim Benzema in the 2021/22 season.
Barcelona, though under pressure, managed to hold their ground. Hansi Flick's side had faced a challenging match but ultimately secured their place in the semi-finals for the first time since the 2018/19 season. The Catalans had shown resilience, despite suffering their first defeat of 2025, a fact that did not dampen their spirits as they celebrated advancing to the next stage of the tournament.
After the match, Borussia coach Nico Kovac expressed pride in his team's performance. “We saw great football today, especially in the performance of my team. It was very intense, with a lot of pressing. I am disappointed that we lost, but today we gave Barcelona their first defeat in 2025, and that says a lot. We have a lot to be proud of,” he stated.
Gregor Kobel, Borussia's goalkeeper, reflected on the match, saying, “Today was not a great evening in the end, but it was good. In the first match, we put ourselves in a difficult position. Our goal today was to squeeze the maximum. We knew that at this stadium, anything is possible against any opponent.”
On the other side, Barcelona's Flick acknowledged the challenge posed by Dortmund. “We are in the semi-finals. In this two-round tie, we deserved to advance to the next stage. The opponents are a great team, and they made life very difficult for us. But we went further, and that’s the main thing,” he said.
Fermin Lopez, a key player for Barcelona, noted, “Dortmund is a very good team - you saw that today. Last week at home, we managed to help ourselves. Today we suffered ourselves, but ultimately managed to minimize the damage.”
Statistically, this match was significant for several reasons. Girassi's hat-trick was the first in a Champions League quarter-final since Benzema's in the 2021/22 season. He now holds the record for the most goals scored by a Borussia player in a single Champions League campaign, with 13 goals, surpassing his own previous record.
As the dust settled, Barcelona prepared for their semi-final clash against the winner of the Bayern vs. Inter tie, while Borussia Dortmund, despite exiting the tournament, left with their heads held high, having delivered a spirited performance against one of the giants of European football.
This thrilling encounter not only showcased the talent on both sides but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of football, where anything can happen on the pitch. Fans can look forward to more exciting matches as the Champions League progresses.
