Barcelona stumble in Dortmund but reach Champions League semi-finals

Flick’s side lose their unbeaten run yet advance to the final four after first-leg dominance.

Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona (R) celebrates with teammates after their victory in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 quarter-final second leg match against Borussia Dortmund at BVB Stadion Dortmund on April 15, 2025, in Dortmund, Germany. Photo by Sebastian El-Saqqa/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Barcelona reach Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2019, but a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday exposed defensive vulnerabilities that could threaten their quest for European glory. Despite the defeat, Hansi Flick’s team progressed to the final four with a 5-3 aggregate score, thanks to their commanding first-leg win at Montjuïc.

Flick’s Barcelona have been the most thrilling team to watch in this season’s Champions League. Their blend of direct attacking football and high pressing has overwhelmed opponents. Yet in Dortmund, that magic faltered. After cruising through most of 2025 unbeaten, the Catalans finally tasted defeat, and not in the way they wanted.

Warning signs despite qualification

The atmosphere in the dressing room, according to Flick, was anything but celebratory. The German coach admitted he had to remind the players that they had achieved something special.

“There was not a great atmosphere in the dressing room,” Flick said. “It was only when I told them, ‘Lads, we're in the semi-finals,’ that it lifted a bit.”

Flick’s remark highlights how the 3-1 loss felt more like a missed opportunity than a step forward. Barcelona struggled to impose themselves, largely due to tactical rotations and fatigue from their congested fixture list. The visit to Dortmund was their seventh game in just 20 days — a brutal schedule that’s starting to show its effects.

Squad rotation backfires

Barcelona’s coach gambled with his lineup, resting several key players including Pedri Gonzalez and Inigo Martinez. The absence of Pedri was particularly damaging, as the team lacked control in midfield and failed to dictate the tempo.

Ronald Araujo returned to the starting XI in place of Martinez but had a rough night. Still adjusting after injury, Araujo’s mistakes, including one that led to Serhou Guirassy’s third goal, added pressure to a backline already under strain.

Full-back Gerard Martin, who continues to fill in for the injured Alejandro Balde, also looked out of place against Dortmund’s fast-paced attack. Flick may have no choice but to stick with Martin for the coming weeks, with no clear alternative available ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on April 26.

Guirassy haunts Barcelona's backline

Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy was the star of the night. After a frustrating first leg where he squandered several opportunities, he made amends in Germany with a clinical hat-trick. His movement and finishing gave Barcelona defenders flashbacks to their past European humiliations — from Anfield in 2019 to the collapse in Rome in 2018.

Guirassy’s goals were separated by a 54th-minute own-goal by Ramy Bensebaini, which briefly steadied Barcelona’s nerves. But his third strike in the 76th minute reignited fears of another capitulation, forcing Barca to hang on nervously until the final whistle.

Flick urges calm and reflection

Despite the poor performance, Flick remained composed in his post-match comments. The coach focused on the big picture — Barcelona are still in contention for three major trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.

“Today we didn't show what we want, we will analyse that — but we have improved this season,” Flick said. “We are still in three competitions. We are in the Champions League semi-finals. This is a huge success and something we should be very happy about.”

His message was clear: this is a project still under construction. Progress is never linear, and setbacks like the one in Dortmund offer lessons that could strengthen the team moving forward.

Defensive cracks a growing concern

While Flick prefers an aggressive, front-footed approach, recent matches have revealed concerning cracks in defense. Barcelona’s attacking wingers Raphinha and 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal have gone quiet, meaning mistakes at the back are no longer masked by goal flurries.

Wojciech Szczesny gave away a penalty, and Araujo’s lapse for Guirassy’s third strike exemplified a growing trend of defensive errors at key moments. In the semi-finals, where the margin for error is razor-thin, such mistakes could be fatal.

Barcelona currently hold a four-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga. But with a crucial Clásico looming on May 11, the title race remains wide open. That match, followed by the Copa del Rey final just two weeks earlier, will define the success of Flick’s debut season.

Barcelona fans will be watching closely to see if their team can rise to the occasion. If they can rediscover the form that saw them demolish Dortmund in the first leg, there's every chance they could end the season with multiple trophies.

Potential semi-final clash with Inter or Bayern

The Champions League semi-finals won't be easy. Barcelona will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich — both tactically disciplined and physically robust sides. Bayern, in particular, could present an emotional subplot for Flick, who led them to European glory in 2020.

For now, the focus will be on recovery and regrouping. Flick must find the right balance between resting key players and maintaining momentum. He will also need to solve the defensive instability that has crept into the team’s play in recent weeks.

Barcelona reach Champions League semi-finals after years of underachievement in Europe, a sign that the club is slowly rediscovering its identity. But Wednesday’s defeat in Dortmund serves as a timely warning: the road to glory remains long and full of pitfalls.

Flick has returned belief to the club and reenergised the fan base, but now he faces his biggest challenge yet — keeping Barcelona sharp, confident, and defensively solid as they chase the quadruple dream.

If they can weather the storm and fine-tune their vulnerabilities, Barcelona might not just reach the final — they could win it all.