Montjuic is bracing for a heavyweight Champions League conflict on Wednesday as a red-hot Barcelona facet hosts Borussia Dortmund within the first leg of a tantalizing quarter-final with historical past, revenge, and a spot within the final 4 on the road.
Barcelona enter the tie using a 22-game unbeaten streak, with 18 wins and their eyes on an unprecedented quadruple.
Already Spanish Super Cup champions and Copa del Rey finalists, Hansi Flick’s males are additionally neck-and-neck with Real Madrid in La Liga – and main the Champions League in objectives scored.
But final weekend’s 1-1 dwelling draw in opposition to Real Betis served as a actuality verify, with teenager Natan canceling out Gavi’s early strike.
It was a uncommon stumble for a facet that’s lit up Europe with a fluid, ferocious assault.
Now, with Inter Milan or Bayern Munich awaiting the winner, Barcelona look to exorcise previous ghosts – significantly the painful 2010 semifinal loss to Inter – whereas Dortmund search revenge of their very own.
The German facet would love nothing greater than to return to the ultimate and erase years of heartbreak, particularly by the hands of home giants Bayern.
Dortmund’s path appears steep.
They have gained simply three of 20 video games in Spain and have been thumped 5-2 by Real Madrid earlier this season.
They have by no means crushed Barcelona in 5 makes an attempt, and Flick boasts a flawless 6-0 report in opposition to the Black and Yellows, together with a group-stage win the place Ferran Torres fired late to seal a 3-2 thriller.
Yet beneath the European highlight, Dortmund rework.
Last yr’s runners-up have suffered just one knockout defeat of their final eight ties and have gained three right away video games on this part.
For supervisor Niko Kovac, this competitors is perhaps the one ticket again to the Champions League as Dortmund sit eighth in a weak Bundesliga, 5 factors shy of fourth.
Raphinha eyes Messi’s report
With Dani Olmo out injured, Flick faces a call.
Gavi, regular and composed, made a powerful case to begin once more after scoring in opposition to Betis.
But Ferran Torres – who arrange Gavi’s objective – is pushing exhausting after a blistering run of kind: three objectives and an help because the break.
Still, all eyes are on Raphinha, rested on the weekend, now primed to headline a ruthless entrance three with Robert Lewandowski and 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal.
The Brazilian has 11 objectives and 5 assists in 10 UCL video games, simply three involvements shy of Messi’s single-season membership report.
Lewandowski, a former Dortmund talisman, has not slowed, whereas Yamal continues to dazzle with composure past his years.
If the trio fires, comparisons to Barca’s fabled MSN assault – Messi, Suarez, Neymar – might now not be hyperbole.
Injuries, returns, what’s at stake
Barca’s damage record stays lengthy.
The three Marcs, Ter Stegen, Bernal, and Casado, are all out for the season, whereas Olmo and Inigo Martinez are uncertain, although Martinez might return after precautionary relaxation.
Luckily, veteran Wojciech Szczesny has steadied the goalkeeping division since stepping in for Ter Stegen.
Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer stays sidelined with a knee damage, and Monday introduced extra dangerous news: key defender Nico Schlotterbeck is out for the season with a torn meniscus.
Niklas Sule and Yan Couto return, however the lack of Schlotterbeck is a serious blow.
Still, Dortmund have depth. Serhou Guirassy, rested on Saturday, is anticipated to steer the road, having scored twice of their final assembly with Barca.
Source: www.dailysabah.com