OFFENSIVE STORM AT CAMP NOU: WIZARD FLICK TARGETS PERFECT RECORD AGAINST BORUSSIA

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Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund

April 9th, 2025

The second Wednesday quarter-final clash of the Champions League will offer a battle between the Catalan giant and last season's German finalist. Borussia Dortmund has never managed to defeat FC Barcelona in history - in five mutual duels, the yellow and blacks have earned only two draws and lost three times, including a 2-3 defeat in the group stage of the current season. Barcelona has a longer unbeaten streak only against Lyon (8 matches), Napoli, and Werder Bremen (both 6 matches).

For Dortmund, Barcelona is not the only Spanish club against which they struggle long-term. Only against two opponents have they recorded a longer series without victory than against Barcelona (5 matches) - against Real Madrid (6, in 2024) and against Rangers (7, in 1999).

A true nightmare for Borussia stands on the home bench. Coach Hansi Flick, during his tenure at Bayern Munich and now at Barcelona, has won all six mutual matches against BVB, which is his best 100% record against any opponent. His teams average three goals per match against Dortmund (18 in total) and have scored at least three goals in five of the six duels.

Away trips to Spain are not a pleasant matter for Borussia. Of 20 away matches against Spanish opponents in European competitions, the yellow and blacks have won only three (5 draws, 12 losses). In knockout phases, their record is even more dismal - just one win from ten duels (2 draws, 7 losses), when they defeated Sevilla 3-2 in the Champions League round of 16 in February 2021.

Nevertheless, Dortmund's current form in knockout duels is excellent. Of the last eight matches in the Champions League knockout phase, Borussia has lost only once (5 wins, 2 draws), and that was in last season's final against Real Madrid (0-2). Edin Terzić's men have also won their last three away matches in the knockout phase, which is more than in their previous 17 such matches combined (4 draws, 11 losses).

Barcelona under Hansi Flick's leadership is demonstrating an offensive storm. No other manager in Champions League history who has coached at least 10 matches with one team has a higher average of goals scored than current Barcelona (3.2 - 32 goals in 10 matches). The only other team that averaged 3+ goals per match under one coach was Bayern Munich, also under Flick (3.17 - 57 goals in 18 matches).

Barcelona's main offensive strength is Raphinha, who has been directly involved in 16 goals in 10 Champions League matches this season (11 scored, 5 assisted). Only Lionel Messi in the 2011-12 season contributed to more goals in one season for Barcelona (19 - 14 goals, 5 assists).

Dortmund has its own offensive gem in Jamie Gittens, who has scored four goals in this Champions League season; the most of any player under 21 years of age in the 2024-25 season. The only player who scored more goals for Borussia in one Champions League season at the age of 21 or younger is Erling Haaland (10 goals in the 2020-21 season).

In Barcelona's winning match against Benfica, Lamine Yamal became the youngest player in history to score and assist in one Champions League match (17 years and 241 days). Furthermore, only Rafael Leão (39) has completed more dribbles than this teenager (33) in the competition this season.

Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was the highest-rated goalkeeper in terms of saved goals in last season's Champions League (+6.9 - 9 conceded from an expected 15.9 on target). This season, however, he ranks 23rd out of 40 goalkeepers with more than 300 minutes played (+0.4 - 14 conceded from an expected 14.4 on target).

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data.

Photo: source XYZ


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