Barcelona book a place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years. This accomplishment came despite their being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, losing 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund. It was enough for the Catalan club to win 5-3 on aggregate, courtesy of a stunning first leg display. Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy stole the spotlight with a remarkable hat-trick, showcasing his scoring prowess by completing the feat in the 76th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error.
Dortmund’s display was one of intense energy and aggression. They dominated large stretches of the game, opening the door for Guirassy’s hat trick to showcase their frightening attacking talent. His hat-trick guaranteed an unforgettable evening for his club. It not only completed his hat-trick on the night with three different finishes, it made history by signing his 13th goal of a Champions League season, a new club record.
Barcelona’s Second Half Resurgence
Even after having a tough time in the opening 45, Barcelona really came into their own shortly after the half. The team’s resilience shone through as they pushed back against Dortmund’s dominance. An unfortunate missed opportunity by Jules Kounde just before halftime was a backbreaker. That’s not to say Kounde didn’t have a golden opportunity to equalize the game to 1-1. Unfortunately, he didn’t convert, and that could have shifted the momentum dangerously in Barcelona’s direction.
Hansi Flick, coach of Barcelona, praised both teams’ hard work after the game.
“Things didn’t go too well for us but Dortmund played very well. But congratulations to my team, we’re in the semi-finals. We’re happy. I’m really happy for the team and the club.” – Hansi Flick
It extended Barcelona’s unbeaten run to 40 games in 2023, a new club record. They weren’t able to be their most dominant selves in this game.
Looking Ahead
Following this victory, Barcelona will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the semi-final. On Wednesday, the two clubs will meet for an exhilarating encounter. The winner will take on Barcelona, with the victor advancing to the final.
Pascal Gross, one of Dortmund’s key players, summed up his team’s performance well. He showed tremendous passion to want to produce a better result in their previous meetings.
“We wanted to play better and more courageously and support each other more on the pitch.” – Pascal Gross
He noted that their display against Barcelona showcased the potential they possess when they play cohesively.
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