Barcelona has waited five long years to return to the Champions League semifinals. The Catalans’ unbeaten start to 2025 — now 22 matches deep — suggests this might finally be the year.
But standing in their way Wednesday is a familiar foe with nothing to lose: Borussia Dortmund. Barça edged a wild 3-2 win in Germany back in December and now host the first of the quarterfinal at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys with momentum, firepower and history on their side.
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Hansi Flick’s squad has scored more goals than anyone in Europe this season and boast the tournament’s leading scorer in Raphinha. But Dortmund, bruised in the Bundesliga and battered by injuries, has made a habit of defying the odds on European nights. Serhou Guirassy’s form combined with Barcelona’s history of quarterfinal slips, suggest this will be no procession.
Barça are the favorites, but with that anthem, that pressure and that Yellow Wall waiting next week? Nothing is guaranteed.
In Wednesday’s other quarterfinal, Paris Saint-Germain hosts Aston Villa in a first-ever meeting between the clubs. PSG enter fresh off a dominant league title and a dramatic win over Liverpool, while red-hot Villa, unbeaten in seven, return to Europe’s elite with former PSG boss Unai Emery at the helm.
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Kick-off for both matches is at 3 p.m. ET and they will stream in the U.S. on Paramount+. The Spanish broadcast of Barcelona-Dortmund will air on Univision and TUDN. We’ll be tracking every key moment, tactical wrinkle and turning point in our live blog below.