Barcelona Game Sets The Scene For Borussia Dortmund’s European Qualification | OneFootball

Niko Kovac’s team showed its best side in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against FC Barcelona. The only slight catch: the goal of reaching the semi-finals was still not achieved. What lessons can BVB now learn from this match?

Niklas Süle asked it, experts asked it, and many BVB fans asked themselves one thing in particular after yesterday’s Champions League evening: Why can it not always be like this, BVB?

Borussia Dortmund showed its best side in the 3-1 win against FC Barcelona. Let’s face it: They were very close to turning over a huge advantage, and that against one of the best in Europe.

BVB played with passion, being more lively and faster than their opponents. The team played as if they had already qualified for next season’s Champions League, moreover, like they did in the Wembley final in June.

The result: Borussia Dortmund is the first team to beat the in-form FC Barcelona in 2025 – and, as is so often said, it was also very well deserved.

Even the Spanish press were unanimous in their verdict that that there was a bit of a miracle in the making at the Westfalenstadion: ‘The Germans caused a sensation in the first few minutes with Serhou Guirassy’s early penalty goal and gave the ‘Yellow and Blacks’ the chance to dream of a historic comeback,’ wrote Marca. The newspaper ‘Sport’ even described the atmosphere they faced as the ‘hell of Dortmund.’

BVB was nevertheless eliminated from the Champions League after the 4-0 loss in the first leg a week earlier, and the excellent performance was ultimately not more than one for the gallery.

After what was arguably BVB’s game of the season, centre-back Niklas Süle asked the question that was on all BVB fans’ and many neutrals’ minds: “The question is why things aren’t going like this in the Bundesliga for us?

Perhaps the Germany international was also thinking of his own performances this season. After all, the 29-year-old is one of those players who never put in the most consistent performances in the Bundesliga but ultimately has the potential to do so.

How much energy did the FC Barcelona side want to invest in the game? Was it simply a matter of saving the lead from the first leg over time? Or was BVB simply too hot for the 27-time Champions?

Hansi Flick did not have an easy task spurring his players onto top performances when they appeared to have such a secure 4-0 lead. The Catalans face a challenging final program in the Spanish league, with Barça still having to defend a four-point lead over Real Madrid in their last seven games. It would not be that surprising if Borussia Dortmund had been simply underestimated.

Nevertheless, coach Niko Kovac and the BVB supporters can draw many positive conclusions from the game: Dortmund’s defence can function without the long-injured Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck. Serhou Guirassy certainly has the potential to fill the vacuum in Dortmund’s attack following the departure of Erling Haaland. And that the next great talent for the future is already waiting in the wings in the form of 18-year-old Belgian forward Julien Duranville, who provided a stunning assist for the 3-1.

The only question is whether this potential can be carried forward to the must-win game against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend. BVB has often radiated something special, but then radically disappointed this season. The truth is that for most of the season, fans never knew what to expect.

Coach Niko Kovac is starting to show he is the man for the job, and BVB should trust him going forward. After the game, he set the agenda, and it’s not an easy one either: “If we win all our games, there’s a good chance we’ll be playing in the Champions League again next year.”

A lot depends on the final five games of the season. The program includes three competitors for European places in Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg, and champions Bayer Leverkusen, as well as a fight against the severely relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel on match day 34.

Basically, BVB needs to win all of the last matches to have a chance of playing in the top European competition again following their elimination.

The trajectory, with the exception of the first performance against FC Barcelona (0-4), follows wins over Freiburg and Mainz and a meritable draw at the Allianz Arena. This is looking like a series, and it’s at just the right time.

Just as the Barcelona game can be interpreted positively, it can, of course, also be viewed critically: BVB were only able to shine against Barcelona because there wasn’t much at stake. With multiple contracts running out, including that of captain Emre Can, in the summer, the same cannot be said about the remaining matches Borussia Dortmund will play this season.

The side needs to be reinforced across multiple positions, including cover for Nico Schlotterbeck for the FIFA Club World Cup, even if there are rumours circulating of a recall of Mats Hummels from the retirement he just announced last week. It also needs to provide more stability in midfield and options on the wing, especially in light of the demand for shooting star Jamie Gittens.

Whilst BVB walk away from the quarterfinal with their heads held high, speaking to Kicker earlier this week, Managing Director Lars Ricken has been very clear that anything less than a European qualification spot will lead to major changes in the line-up next season: “The performances have not been acceptable this season. We are missing a real winning mentality at the club, and that is going to have to change.”

The scene is set, and BVB has shown they can play the football they are loved for. Next stop is a six pointer at the Borussia Park, a 1730 kickoff on Sunday.