As Barcelona look to book their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, manager Hansi Flick has announced the starting lineup for their quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund. With a commanding 4-0 win in the first leg, the Blaugrana have a significant cushion heading into the game and will want to see things out without any shock slip-ups.
Despite that, Flick has made some interesting changes to the lineup, opting to rest key players like Pedri and Inigo Martinez, with the latter being only one yellow card away from suspension. Replacing Pedri in midfield is Gavi, who starts after two games on the bench. He partners Frenkie de Jong in the double pivot, with the Dutchman returning to the team after a substitute appearance against Leganés at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo starts again in defence and is partnered by Pau Cubarsi in place of Inigo. Jules Kounde continues at right-back while Gerard Martin slots in on the left side following the injury to Alejandro Balde. There are no changes in the attacking unit, however, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, and Robert Lewandowski all retaining their places.
On the other side, Borussia Dortmund faces a daunting task. The German side must overturn a four-goal deficit to advance, needing to win by five goals to guarantee a direct spot in the semi-finals or by four to take the match into extra time. Dortmund manager Niko Kovac will be without key players Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck, and possibly Emre Can, who is still recovering from injury.
As the teams prepare to clash at the iconic Signal Iduna Park, the atmosphere is expected to be electric, with Dortmund fans hoping for a miracle. The match is set to kick off at 16:00 (Brasília time) and will be broadcast live in Brazil on SBT, TNT, and streaming on Max.
Barcelona's recent form has been impressive, with the team currently sitting at the top of La Liga and looking to maintain their momentum. Their last outing saw them secure a narrow 1-0 victory against Leganés, a match that showcased their defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
In the first leg of this quarter-final, Barcelona delivered a masterclass performance, with goals from Raphinha, Lewandowski (twice), and Lamine Yamal sealing a comprehensive victory. The Catalan giants have faced Dortmund six times historically, winning four and drawing two, which adds to their confidence heading into this match.
Looking ahead, Barcelona's schedule remains busy. Following the match against Dortmund, they will face Celta de Vigo on April 19 and Mallorca on April 22, before a highly anticipated Copa del Rey clash against Real Madrid on April 26.
As the teams take to the pitch, the stakes couldn't be higher. Barcelona aims to control the rhythm of the game, utilizing their fast-paced wingers and the experience of Lewandowski to exploit any defensive lapses from Dortmund. Conversely, the home side will look to apply early pressure and capitalize on any mistakes from the visitors.
With everything on the line, this Champions League showdown promises to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between these two European powerhouses. Fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if Barcelona can maintain their dominance or if Dortmund can pull off an improbable comeback.
