FC Barcelona has successfully navigated the challenges of the Champions League quarterfinals, overcoming a scare from Borussia Dortmund to secure their spot in the semifinals.
This marks the Catalan club’s first appearance in the semifinals since 2019, a stage where they previously faltered despite having a strong lead.
In the quarterfinals, Barça demonstrated their resilience and skill, winning the first leg 4-0 in at home.
Although Dortmund staged an impressive comeback in the return leg, winning 3-1 at home, it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
This loss marked Barcelona’s first defeat of 2025, but it didn’t deter them from advancing to the semifinals with an aggregate score of 5-3.
Barcelona’s journey to the semifinals is particularly significant given their history of failing to capitalize on strong leads in big European matches.
The 2019 quarterfinals against Liverpool stand out, where despite winning the first leg 3-0 at Camp Nou, they were thrashed 4-0 in the return leg at Anfield, denying them their first spot in the final since 2015.
Other notable setbacks include the 2018 Champions League semifinal against Roma, where they squandered a 4-1 first-leg lead after losing 3-0 away from home in the reverse fixture and the 2019-20 quarterfinals against Bayern Munich, where they suffered an 8-2 defeat, the club’s low in their rich European history.
The four time Champions League champions struggles in European competition reached a new low with a crushing round of 16 exit at the hands of PSG in 2021, capping off back-to-back group stage disappointments.
But under the guidance of new manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona seems to have turned a new leaf.
Flick’s tactical acumen and emphasis on teamwork have been instrumental in the team’s success.
The German coach’s influence has been evident in the team’s performances, and his ability to get the best out of his players has been crucial in their Champions League campaign.
Barcelona’s journey in the Champions League is part of their larger quest for the treble.
The Catalan giants currently sit top of La Liga with four points to spare, albeit with six league games remaining.
Additionally, they have secured a spot in the Copa del Rey final, where they will face arch-rivals Real Madrid on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The team is determined to make the most of their momentum and bring home multiple trophies.
After overcoming the scare against Dortmund, they are now focused on the bigger picture – the semifinal and winning the Champions League and potentially completing the treble.
The stakes are high as Barcelona prepares to face off against either Bayern Munich or Inter Milan in the semifinals, two formidable opponents who will push them to their limits.
With their talented squad and Flick’s tactical expertise, they are well-equipped to compete at the highest level.
The team’s history and recent performances suggest that they have the potential to go all the way and win their sixth Champions League title.
The post Barca survive Dortmund scare to book first UCL semifinal spot since 2019 first appeared on 3News.
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