FC Barcelona delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on April 9, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The Catalan giants put one foot firmly in the semi-finals with a performance that showcased their depth, defensive solidity, and lethal finishing, leaving Dortmund with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Barcelona’s Dominant Display
From the opening whistle, Barcelona asserted their dominance, controlling possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. The Blaugrana’s forward line was in brilliant form, with all three of their star attackers finding the back of the net. The scoring began early, setting the tone for a one-sided affair. A report from The Guardian highlighted the impact of Barcelona’s attacking trio, noting that the final goal came from a 17-year-old prodigy who is already being hailed as one of the best players on the continent. This young star’s contribution underscored the depth of talent in Hansi Flick’s squad, which has been bolstered by the return of teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, who partnered with Iñigo Martínez to form a rock-solid defensive pairing.
Despite Dortmund creating a handful of chances, their failure to convert proved costly. As The Guardian noted, Borussia Dortmund “made enough chances to have scored a couple of their own,” but their profligacy in front of goal left them “very close to doomed.” Barcelona’s defense, lauded by Flick for its consistency, held firm, with substitutes seamlessly stepping in to maintain the team’s high level of performance. Flick himself emphasized the importance of squad depth, stating, “When you see our defense, it’s also good, also the players who came from the bench, they’re on the same level. And at the moment, this is very important because we have a lot of matches.”
The 4-0 scoreline gives Barcelona a massive advantage heading into the second leg at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund will need a miracle to overturn the deficit, especially given Barcelona’s current form—they remain unbeaten in 2025, despite a recent 1-1 draw against Real Betis in La Liga. For Dortmund, the glimmer of hope lies in their missed opportunities in the first leg, but they’ll need to be clinical and hope for a rare off-day from Barcelona to have any chance of a comeback.
Summary of Other Quarter-Final Fixtures
Elsewhere in the Champions League quarter-finals, Paris Saint-Germain secured a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Parc des Princes. PSG, who are chasing a treble this season with a Coupe de France final against Reims on the horizon, were favorites heading into the tie.
Despite the absence of captain Marquinhos due to suspension, with Lucas Beraldo stepping in alongside Willian Pacho in defense, the French champions delivered a convincing performance. Aston Villa managed to get on the scoresheet, but PSG’s attacking firepower proved too much for the Premier League side. The 3-1 result gives PSG a two-goal cushion heading into the second leg at Villa Park, though Villa will take heart from their away goal and the chance to play in front of their home crowd.
What to Expect in the Second Legs
The second legs of the quarter-finals, scheduled for April 16, 2025, will determine which teams advance to the semi-finals. For Borussia Dortmund, the task is monumental. Trailing 4-0, they’ll need to produce a historic performance at home to overturn the deficit. However, Barcelona’s defensive solidity and attacking depth make them heavy favorites to progress. Dortmund’s best hope lies in an early goal to ignite their passionate home crowd, but they’ll need to be far more clinical than they were in the first leg. Barcelona, on the other hand, will aim to manage the game, protect their lead, and potentially exploit Dortmund’s need to push forward, which could leave gaps at the back.
In the PSG vs. Aston Villa tie, the French side holds a 3-1 lead, but the outcome remains less certain. Aston Villa’s away goal keeps them in the contest, and a strong performance at Villa Park could make things interesting. PSG will need to navigate the absence of Marquinhos again, but their attacking quality should see them through if they maintain their focus. Villa, however, will be buoyed by their home support and will look to capitalize on any defensive lapses from PSG to stage a comeback. A 2-0 win would be enough for Villa to level the tie, but PSG’s experience in European competitions makes them the likely team to advance.
