Although Barcelona entered the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie with a strong advantage—having secured a four-goal lead from the first match—they were met with unexpected resistance from Borussia Dortmund. Determined to stage a dramatic comeback, the German side came out with high energy and managed to score two goals, putting immense pressure on Barcelona and nearly leveling the aggregate score. For a moment, it appeared that Dortmund might accomplish the improbable. However, their hopes were severely damaged when they conceded an unfortunate own goal. Even though Dortmund later managed to add a third goal to their tally, it was ultimately not enough to overturn the deficit.
The match took place in Dortmund’s iconic Signal Iduna Park, a stadium known for its electrifying and often intimidating atmosphere. The intense crowd support for the home side added to the challenges faced by Barcelona, particularly for head coach Hansi Flick and his players. As a result, the team had to shift to a more defensive and cautious strategy, struggling to maintain control under sustained pressure.
According to a report by Spain’s El Nacional, this match marked Barcelona’s first defeat of the 2025 season and revealed several concerning issues within the squad. Multiple players appeared physically and mentally exhausted, which affected their overall performance on the pitch. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who has been standing in for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen, drew the harshest criticism. He conceded three goals during the match and was also responsible for giving away a penalty—a performance that has shaken confidence in his abilities. While Szczęsny had shown moments of excellence in previous fixtures, including against Benfica and Leganés, his lack of consistency continues to be a cause for worry.
Although manager Hansi Flick appreciates Szczęsny’s experience and leadership, especially during this injury spell, many at the club do not see him as a dependable long-term replacement for Ter Stegen. As the latter’s recovery progresses, there is growing anticipation and support within the team and among the staff for his return—particularly if Barcelona advances to the Champions League final.
One notable voice in Szczęsny’s defense is his Polish teammate, striker Robert Lewandowski, who believes the veteran goalkeeper deserves to retain his starting role. However, reports suggest that the majority of the squad prefers Ter Stegen to be reinstated as soon as he is medically cleared to play. Observers believe that Flick, despite his loyalty to Szczęsny, will eventually be swayed by this broader sentiment within the team.
