Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund: Champions League quarter-final, first leg – live

15 mins: Guirassy attempts to connect with a cross from the right flank, but the ball eludes him. Replays confirm he was significantly offside throughout the play.

13 mins: A calmer period in the game as Barcelona’s relentless attacking pressure on the Borussia Dortmund defense subsides for now.

10 mins: Another corner kick is sent out of bounds, failing to find a player, but this time it at least bounces on the pitch before exiting play.

9 mins: Borussia Dortmund earns a corner as Gittens’ delivery into the box is deflected behind by a Barcelona defender.

8 mins: Barcelona is currently dominating Borussia Dortmund, dismantling their defensive structure with incisive attacks in these early moments.

7 mins: Kobel with the save! Raphinha advances on the left again, delivering a pullback pass to Lewandowski lurking at the edge of the penalty area. However, Lewandowski’s shot is directed centrally, allowing Kobel to make a crucial stop.

6 mins: Yamal takes another shot! Displaying impressive footwork to evade Bensebaini on the right wing, Yamal opts for an ambitious attempt from a very tight angle instead of passing to a teammate in a better position.

5 mins: Kobel denies Yamal again! A clever backheel pass by Lewandowski sets up Yamal, who cuts inside onto his favored left foot for a shot, but it lacks placement and is saved by the Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper, Kobel.

4 mins: The resulting corner kick is overhit, curling beyond the six-yard box and out for a goal kick on the opposite side.

3 mins: Raphinha exploits space down the left side, but his ensuing low cross into the box is intercepted and cleared for a corner by Bensebaini.

2 mins: Barcelona initiates a swift counter-attack, venturing into Borussia Dortmund’s half for the first time in the match.

Commentator’s remark: “… and this is where Barcelona can punish you severely!”
However, Barcelona opts for a conservative approach, passing the ball back to their defenders.

1 min: The whistle blows to commence the match! Borussia Dortmund starts the game, immediately launching a long ball forward which goes directly out of play.

Pre-match formalities concluded: The Champions League anthem has been played, handshakes exchanged, and the coin toss completed. Kick-off is imminent.

Teams emerge onto the pitch! Can anyone halt Barcelona’s progress in this Champions League campaign, and could Borussia Dortmund be the team to challenge them? We are about to begin finding out as the match gets underway!

Significant media attention for this match: A reported 560 accredited journalists are present, marking a new record, alongside representatives from 88 broadcasters holding media rights. The press box is notably crowded.

Raphinha’s confident arrival: The Barcelona winger, Raphinha, displayed a determined and assertive look upon arriving at the stadium, exuding self-assuredness ahead of the crucial Champions League fixture.

Borussia Dortmund’s Form and Strategy

Borussia Dortmund began their season impressively, securing victory in seven of their initial ten fixtures. This positive run included notable attacking displays, such as scoring four goals against teams like Phonix Lubeck, Heidenheim, and Bochum, and a dominant seven-goal performance against Celtic. During this period of optimism, Borussia Dortmund exhibited promising form and aspirations for the season. However, despite this initial success, a series of three defeats in the Bundesliga halted their momentum, leaving them in sixth position at the time. Currently, they occupy eighth place in the league standings, trailing Monchengladbach by three points and holding a narrow three-point lead over 12th-placed Wolfsburg, who previously eliminated them from the German Cup in October.

In essence, Borussia Dortmund’s season has been inconsistent. Despite their less-than-stellar domestic form, they have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Prior to the match in Barcelona, their coach, Niko Kovac, conveyed a resolute attitude, stating, “we came here to win.” He alluded to a strategic approach, explaining, “They possess numerous strengths, but every team has vulnerabilities, and we intend to exploit them. While it would be imprudent to disclose our precise game plan, we have a strategy in mind.”

Barcelona’s Dominant Run

Barcelona has enjoyed an unbeaten streak in 2025, with 22 games played without a loss. In each of these matches, Barcelona has at some point held a lead, though four of these games concluded in draws after opponents managed to equalize. They currently lead La Liga and are preparing for the Copa Del Rey final later in April. The primary concern for Barcelona might be complacency. However, their coach, Hansi Flick, expressed caution, stating: “Dortmund possess many high-quality players, and their presence in the quarter-finals is well-deserved.”

Welcome to our live coverage! Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates of this exciting Champions League encounter.