What Borussia Dortmund Must Do to Exploit Barcelona’s Weakness

This Wednesday night, Borussia Dortmund faces one of the frontrunners for the Champions League this season, Barcelona. In light of their recent struggles, the Bundesliga side could seek motivation from Arsenal’s brilliant display against Real Madrid on Tuesday as proof of what a positive mindset can achieve.

It’s also promising for Dortmund that they’ve lost only once in their last eight knockout matches in the UEFA Champions League (W5 D2), with that solitary defeat occurring against Real Madrid in last season’s final (0-2).

Dortmund has triumphed in their last three knockout matches on the road, outpacing their previous 17 away games in the same competition (D4 L11). Jamie Gittens has notably excelled in this year’s European tournament, already netting four goals for BVB, which is the highest total among players aged 21 and under this season. The only player who has scored more for the club at that age is Erling Haaland, who managed ten goals in the 2020/21 season.

Nico Kovac is undoubtedly aware that his charges have never bested Barcelona in their five previous encounters across European competitions (L3 D2), including a loss to the Catalans earlier this season in the Champions League (3-2).

Dortmund’s Resilience in the Champions League Under Kovac

Nonetheless, Dortmund have gone six consecutive European matches without a defeat against other teams, matching records set against two sides—six against Real Madrid in 2024 and seven against Rangers in 1999.

Since Kovac took over in early February, Dortmund’s performance in the Champions League has been commendable, achieving victories away against Sporting and Lille. However, their domestic form has been inconsistent, with wins over the likes of Union Berlin, Mainz, and St. Pauli, but disappointing losses to Augsburg and Bochum.

The successful formula that Kovac has implemented in the Champions League—where they remain unbeaten since his arrival—needs to be apparent at Estadio Lluis Companys on Wednesday.

The recent 1-1 draw for Barcelona against Betis at home may offer Dortmund a blueprint to secure at least a draw in Catalonia and aim to finish the job on home turf.

Opposing bench boss Hansi Flick will be eager to maintain his perfect record against Dortmund, having won all six encounters while managing Bayern Munich and Barcelona; it is his best record against any opponent.

Flick’s teams have also hit three or more goals in five out of six matches, and he clearly relishes the Champions League.

Among those managers who have taken charge of 10 or more games in the competition, his Barcelona has the highest goals-per-game average in the competition’s history (3.2 – 32 goals in 10 matches).

In fact, the only other squad to average over three goals per match under a specific manager was Bayern Munich – when Hansi Flick was at the helm (3.17 – 57 goals in 18 matches).

But Flick may worry that some of Barcelona’s attacking talents appear fatigued in recent games, although Raphinha’s contributions cannot be overlooked, as he has been directly involved in 16 goals in 10 Champions League appearances this season (11 goals and five assists).

For perspective, only Lionel Messi in the 2011/12 season has been more influential in a single edition of the competition for Barcelona, registering 19 contributions (14 goals and five assists).

Lamine Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player to score and assist in a Champions League match (17 years and 241 days) against Benfica in the most recent game. Also, only Milan’s Rafael Leao (39) has completed more dribbles than him (33) in the competition this season.

This places added pressure on Dortmund’s keeper, Gregor Kobel, to perform valiantly.

In last season’s Champions League, Kobel was the top-rated goalkeeper for goals prevented (+6.9—nine conceded from 15.9 expected goals on target); however, in the current season, he is ranked 23rd among 40 goalkeepers with over 300 minutes played (+0.4—14 conceded from 14.4 expected goals on target).

Dortmund also has a history of struggling against Spanish sides, with only three wins from 20 away matches against La Liga teams in European competition (D5 L12).

It worsens in the knockout phases, as they’ve secured only one victory in ten encounters (D2 L7), a solitary win against Sevilla in the last 16 of the Champions League in February 2021.

Barca’s Defensive Weakness Could Provide Opportunities for Dortmund

Ultimately, the Germans must lean on their own strengths rather than allow the burden of history to weigh them down.

If teams are willing to battle against Barcelona and maintain a forward-thinking approach throughout, they can keep the Catalans under pressure.

Dortmund must exhibit courage and trust their instincts, similar to how certain teams have already faced the Catalans this season, thus turning Barca’s high defensive line into a potential vulnerability.

While their back four can suffocate opponents and keep them contained, it also leaves Barcelona exposed, particularly as they push forward in the first leg of this two-legged showdown.

If Dortmund aim to enhance their chances of reaching the semi-finals, they must seize control of the game, frustrating the Catalans along the way. It may appear a daunting task, but as long as their forwards correctly time their movements, Barcelona could be vulnerable time and again.