Barcelona booked their place in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2019, but a 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday delivered a sobering reality check for Hansi Flick’s side.
The Catalans saw their unbeaten run in 2025 come to an end after 24 matches, with Dortmund capitalizing on a rotated Barça squad to claim a morale-boosting victory. Despite advancing 5-3 on aggregate thanks to a dominant first-leg performance, the loss exposed vulnerabilities that could haunt them as they pursue a historic quadruple.
“It wasn’t a happy dressing room,” admitted Flick. “Only when I reminded the players that we’d reached the semifinals did the mood lift.”
Barcelona’s resurgence in the new year had rekindled belief after a rough end to 2024, but the trip to Germany served as a warning that momentum can shift quickly—especially amid a packed fixture list. Wednesday’s clash marked their seventh game in just 20 days, and signs of fatigue were evident.
Flick opted to rest key figures like Pedri and Iñigo Martínez, decisions that proved costly. Without Pedri’s composure, Barcelona struggled to control the tempo, while Ronald Araújo—still adjusting after injury—had a difficult night in defense.
Gerard Martin, filling in at left-back due to Alejandro Balde’s ongoing absence, was another weak link. Balde is unlikely to return in time for the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on April 26, further compounding Flick’s selection challenges.
“We weren’t at our level today—we made mistakes, lost focus,” said defender Jules Koundé. “At halftime, Flick told us we had to step up.”
Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, who was wasteful in the first leg, made no such errors this time. His hat-trick revived painful memories for Barcelona fans of past Champions League meltdowns, like the infamous collapses against Liverpool and Roma. Ramy Bensebaini’s own goal briefly steadied the ship for Barça, but Guirassy’s third goal ensured a tense finish.
Still, Flick chose to highlight the positives ahead of this weekend’s LaLiga clash with Celta Vigo.
“We didn’t play the way we wanted, and we’ll review that,” said the coach. “But we’ve made progress. We’re still alive in three competitions, and reaching the Champions League semifinals is a huge success.”
Barcelona’s attack-heavy style has dazzled fans this season, but cracks remain at the back. Wingers Raphinha and 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal have shown signs of fatigue, and any defensive lapse—like Szczesny’s clumsy penalty giveaway or Araújo’s costly error—can quickly shift the tide.
Barça currently lead LaLiga by four points, but with a decisive showdown against second-placed Real Madrid looming on May 11, nothing is guaranteed. They’ll also face their fierce rivals in the Copa del Rey final.
And in the Champions League, either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich await—ready to exploit the same weaknesses Dortmund exposed.
As Barcelona continue their chase for silverware on multiple fronts, Flick’s biggest challenge may be finding the balance between flair and focus.