Unless there’s a dramatic turn of events at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Hansi Flick has steered Barcelona towards a spot in the Champions League semi-finals and a potential return to Europe’s prestigious elite after a challenging decade in Catalonia.
A place in the semi-finals, where Barcelona would likely be favoured to reach the final, would mark the pinnacle thus far for the Catalan club in the post-Lionel Messi era.
With a four-point lead over Real Madrid in the league and seven matches left to play, alongside a clash with Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey final, Barcelona is relishing their best season since Messi’s exit.
Since clinching the treble in Berlin in 2015, Barcelona has made it to the Champions League semi-finals only once, an experience they would rather erase from memory in 2018-19.
In that encounter, Barcelona was part of an incredible comeback by Liverpool, squandering a 3-0 first-leg advantage to succumb to a 4-0 defeat at Anfield.
The very next season saw Barcelona suffer a humiliating 8-2 defeat to a Flick-managed Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
It wasn’t until the 2023-24 season that Barcelona reached the quarter-finals again, only to lose their 3-2 first-leg lead over Paris Saint-Germain in a subsequent 4-1 defeat at home.
Meanwhile, off the field, Barcelona has faced a seemingly unending series of financial scandals, compounded by the loss of Messi, their greatest player, on a free transfer in 2021.
‘We want to keep going’
This season, however, with Messi’s potential successor Lamine Yamal shining alongside Raphinha and seasoned striker Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona appears to have rediscovered their swagger, especially against top competition.
Along with Wednesday’s impressive 4-0 victory over Dortmund, last season’s Champions League finalists, Barcelona’s remarkable 4-1 triumph over Bayern during the group stages showcased their ability to dominate.
In their two encounters with Real this season, Barcelona secured wins of 4-0 and 5-2.
This season has not only highlighted that Barcelona can thrive post-Messi but has also served as a platform for Flick’s redemption.
Despite steering Bayern to an unprecedented six-trophy season, including the Champions League in 2019-20, Flick’s disappointing tenure as Germany’s manager raised questions about his capabilities.
A victory in this season’s Champions League final, particularly at Munich’s Allianz Arena, would firmly establish the 60-year-old among football’s elite.
On Saturday, a smiling Flick conveyed to reporters: “We’ve come this far, but we want to keep progressing.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying collaborating with my coaching team and this squad. The atmosphere within the team is incredible.”
‘The greatest miracle’
As the hosts on Wednesday seek inspiration from Liverpool’s remarkable turnaround five years ago under former coach Jurgen Klopp, they are acutely aware of the challenge ahead.
Dortmund, currently struggling to reclaim their status in the European scene, managed a commendable 2-2 draw against Bayern on Saturday following their heavy defeat in Barcelona.
Sporting director Lars Ricken remarked on Saturday that “we need the greatest miracle in the history of Borussia Dortmund” to progress to the semi-finals.
A local legend who featured in the club’s historic night – the 1997 Champions League final victory over Juventus – Ricken is no stranger to high-stakes European matches in black and yellow.
“We have to aim for a win; whether that’s sufficient to get through is uncertain,” he said.
Identifying as “an optimist yet a realist,” Dortmund coach Niko Kovac emphasised the desire for his side to redeem themselves on Tuesday.
“But without a hint of hope or spark, it wouldn’t make sense.
“Our goal is to win the match. Whether it’s 1-0 or 2-1, playing at home, we wish to give our supporters something to cheer for.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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