blow

Barcelona made it to the semi-finals however the Dortmund defeat gave them meals for thought (INA FASSBENDER)

Barcelona reached the Champions League semi-finals for the primary time since 2019 however Wednesday’s defeat by Borussia Dortmund gave the Catalans trigger for concern.

Hansi Flick’s aspect misplaced their unbeaten begin to 2025, falling on the twenty fifth hurdle, and got a scare within the 3-1 defeat by Dortmund, progressing 5-3 on mixture after their emphatic first-leg rout.

Commercial

Barca have been the competitors’s most entertaining aspect and for the primary time in years are severe contenders to carry the trophy, however their undoing in Germany sapped at their confidence.

“There was not an amazing ambiance within the dressing room… it was solely after I informed them, ‘Lads, we’re within the semi-finals,’ that it lifted a bit,” stated Flick.

Barcelona began effectively this season earlier than a dismal stoop in the direction of the tip of 2024 once they misplaced momentum and perception, earlier than recovering after the winter break.

As rapidly as issues modified for the higher, they’ll change once more for worse, notably given Barcelona’s hectic schedule as they battle for a possible quadruple.

Commercial

“It will likely be essential to analyse this recreation, however we have collected lots of matches, and it could possibly be regular (to have a dip),” stated Flick.

The go to to Dortmund was their seventh recreation in a 20-day spell and sadly for Flick, this match confirmed the coach he can’t afford to relaxation key gamers.

The German benched midfield maestro Pedri Gonzalez and Barcelona suffered for it, unable to regulate the sport, pushed again by the hosts.

Inigo Martinez was additionally rested, with Ronald Araujo stepping in, and the Uruguayan had an uncomfortable evening, nonetheless not discovering his footing below Flick after harm.

Commercial

Gerard Martin is proscribed at left-back however should play within the subsequent few weeks with Alejandro Balde injured and unlikely to return by the point Barca face Actual Madrid within the Copa del Rey ultimate on April 26.

“We have been less than it at this time, we made errors, switched off… Flick informed us we had to enhance at half-time,” admitted defender Jules Kounde.

– ‘Big success’ –

Serhou Guirassy may have netted a treble within the first leg however fluffed his traces, so Barcelona cannot say they weren’t warned this time.

The Guinean striker’s three objectives gave Barcelona flashbacks to their darkish current historical past within the Champions League, with the 4-0 defeat at Anfield by Liverpool, and capitulation towards Roma coming to thoughts.

Commercial

After Guirassy’s brace, Ramy Bensebaini’s 54th minute own-goal helped ease Barcelona issues earlier than the ahead bagged his third to arrange a tense finale.

Regardless of the defeat, Flick tried his finest to see the positives forward of Barcelona’s La Liga conflict with Celta Vigo on Saturday.

“Immediately we did not present what we would like, we are going to analyse that — however we’ve improved this season,” stated the coach.

“We’re nonetheless in three competitions. We’re within the Champions League semi-finals.

“It is a big success and one thing we needs to be very glad about.”

Flick’s crew are attack-focused, steamrolling opponents to masks their defensive frailties, however wingers Raphinha and teenage star Lamine Yamal have lacked spark in current outings.

Commercial

Which means any errors on the again — such because the penalty given away by Wojciech Szczesny, or Araujo’s error for Guirassy’s third aim — may show expensive.

Barca maintain a four-point lead on Actual Madrid in La Liga however nonetheless need to face the second-placed champions on Might 11, in a match which may resolve the title race, in addition to within the Copa del Rey ultimate.

And within the Champions League both Inter Milan or Bayern Munich await, prepared to use the identical cracks Dortmund discovered.

rbs/jc