Serhou Guirassy says Dortmund's Champions League exit was sealed in first leg

Dortmund striker reflects on Barcelona defeat despite hat-trick heroics in second leg.

Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund reacts after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 quarter-final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona at BVB Stadion Dortmund on April 15, 2025, in Dortmund, Germany. Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy has admitted that Dortmund's Champions League exit was already decided after their poor first leg performance in Barcelona, despite his stunning hat-trick in a 3-1 home win on Tuesday night. The German side had entered the second leg of the quarterfinals facing a daunting 4-0 deficit and, although they came close to mounting an incredible comeback, their efforts fell short as Barcelona advanced with a 5-3 aggregate victory.

In a game that showcased Dortmund’s fighting spirit, Guirassy gave fans a reason to believe with an early penalty and a second goal shortly after the break. But an unfortunate own goal dampened their hopes before the striker completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute. His three-goal performance made him the leading scorer in the Champions League this season with 13 goals—setting a new club record in the process. Yet, the striker remained grounded in defeat.

“They're a great team, we're also a great team, we showed that today,” Guirassy said after the match. “It's a shame the gap was too big in the first leg.”

A valiant comeback that came too late

Coming into the match at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund needed to overturn a four-goal deficit. While unlikely, the home crowd created a charged atmosphere, hoping to witness a historic Champions League comeback. Guirassy's early penalty ignited belief, and when he added a second shortly after halftime, that belief turned into real hope.

For a brief period, Barcelona looked rattled. Dortmund pressed aggressively, creating multiple chances and pinning their opponents back. But in the 67th minute, an own goal from a deflected clearance gave Barcelona the breathing room they needed. Guirassy’s third goal came late and, although it made for a dramatic ending, it wasn’t enough to turn the tie around.

The striker’s disappointment was palpable despite his personal milestone. “It's great to be the top scorer in the Champions League; there are some great players. Being first also means that I'm a great scorer, but without the team, I can't do it alone,” he said.

Team effort overshadowed by first leg failure

Niklas Suele, who has Champions League pedigree from his time at Bayern Munich, echoed Guirassy’s sentiments. “We messed it up in the first leg,” Suele said. “The performance was too bad in Barcelona.”

Suele’s comments highlight what many Dortmund fans have felt since last week’s heavy loss at the Camp Nou. While the team showed resilience and quality in the return leg, the damage had already been done. Too many defensive errors and a lack of urgency in the first encounter left them with a mountain too steep to climb.

Dortmund looked to have added a fourth goal late on through Julian Brandt, but it was disallowed for offside—denying them a potential 4-1 result that would have made for a thrilling final stretch. “I think it would've been an exciting last 10 minutes,” said midfielder Pascal Gross. “Until the last minute we played to show we believed so the stadium would believe in it.”

Guirassy’s historic Champions League campaign

Though Dortmund’s campaign ended in disappointment, Guirassy’s individual performance will be remembered as one of the highlights of this year’s Champions League. His tally of 13 goals is the highest in the tournament this season and a new record for a Dortmund player in a single European campaign.

His goals came in various forms—penalties, headers, sharp finishes—and demonstrated his versatility as a forward. In many ways, he has been Dortmund’s most consistent performer throughout the season. But like he admitted, scoring goals is only part of the equation, and it takes a complete team effort to progress in the knockout stages.

Guirassy’s contribution wasn’t just statistical. His work rate, movement off the ball, and leadership on the pitch provided Dortmund with the spark they so often lacked in the first leg.

Barcelona's experience shows

Barcelona’s ability to manage the tie was clear throughout both legs. In the first leg, they took advantage of Dortmund’s defensive frailties and lack of cohesion. In the second, they absorbed pressure and capitalized on key moments, even when not at their best.

Despite conceding three goals on the night, they never truly lost control of the overall tie. Their experienced midfielders slowed the game down when needed, and their defenders made critical interventions to prevent a fourth Dortmund goal.

For all of Dortmund’s second-leg excellence, Barcelona’s first-leg dominance ultimately proved decisive—a point that Guirassy and his teammates acknowledged post-match.

Dortmund’s exit from the Champions League marks the end of what had been a promising European run. The team had shown signs of development under manager Edin Terzic, with several young players stepping up alongside more seasoned professionals like Suele and Emre Can.

Guirassy’s form has been a major positive, and it’s likely he will be the subject of transfer interest this summer. For Dortmund, retaining him will be key if they hope to build on this year’s experience and return stronger next season.

Lessons will need to be learned, particularly about game management and starting strong in two-legged ties. As this quarterfinal showed, a poor first leg can nullify even the best comeback attempts.

Champions League heartbreak with a silver lining

As fans left Signal Iduna Park, there was a mix of pride and frustration. Proud of the team’s spirit, but frustrated at what might have been. Dortmund's Champions League exit wasn’t a result of lack of talent, but rather of not turning up when it mattered most.

Guirassy’s words summed up the mood best: “We showed we could go toe-to-toe with them, but the first leg cost us.”

For now, Dortmund bows out of Europe with heads held high, having restored some pride and shown their true level in the second leg. But their Champions League dreams are over—for this season, at least.