Laying down what was a sensational European marker on Wednesday night, Barcelona put one foot firmly in the Champions League’s final four as they cruised their way to a 4-0 romp against Borussia Dortmund.
Embarking on what has been a sensational rise so far this calendar year, Hansi Flick’s side took a deserved lead midway through the first-half as the red-hot Raphinha bundled home from on the line.
In complete control on either side of the interval, ex-BVB striker Robert Lewandowski came back to haunt his former club as the Polish record-breaker bagged an 18-minute brace.
Putting in what was a dominant display in Catalonia, 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal put the cherry on top of the cake for Barca as their academy superstar notched a fourth Champions League strike of the season.
Firing on all cylinders and rightfully pencilled in as a genuine European contender this season, Flick’s camp will already be putting together their semi-final showdown against either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich.
As for Dortmund, enduring what was an infamous night under the bright lights in Spain, last year’s Champions League finalists will be bracing themselves for a major backlash when they return to rural Germany.
On a night when Barcelona made a heavyweight statement on home soil, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Catalonia.
Barca are a genuine European contender
While some around Catalonia might have been shocked last summer following Flick’s arrival, Barcelona have enjoyed a remarkable rise under the former Bayern Munich boss.
Holding a four-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table, some in Flick’s camp are dreaming of the chance to complete an iconic European and domestic sweep in 2025.
Crowned Super Cup champions back in January following a famous 5-2 victory against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Middle East, Wednesday’s hosts have not suffered a single defeat across any competition so far this calendar year.
With the mood around Catalonia at a red-hot high, Barcelona’s rampant performance here would have certainly sent shockwaves across the continent.
Breezing past last year’s Champions League finalists in midweek and laying down what was a major statement of intent, Flick couldn’t have dreamt of a better night against his former Bundesliga foes.
A nightmare in Catalonia for BVB
Currently sat eighth in the Bundesliga standings and holding just a two-point buffer from slipping out the top-half, it is no secret that Borussia Dortmund have placed all of their eggs in the European basket.
Although Niko Kovac’s side might have picked up some major momentum last weekend as they stormed their way to a 4-1 win away at Freiburg, the former Monaco boss saw his squad come crashing back down to earth in an infamous fashion here.
With their European dreams certainly going up in smoke here, Wednesday’s guests look set for even more backlash over the coming days.
Seeking what would be an iconic Champions League miracle when they return to rural Germany next week, Dortmund have struggled to find much European stability on home soil.
Signing off their group stage adventure with a 0-0 stalemate against Sporting Lisbon on February 19th, BVB have registered just a sole victory from their previous four Champions League showdowns at Signal Iduna Park.
Another night and another European goal for Raphinha
While all of Barca’s attacking superstars might have run rampant on Wednesday night, it was their Brazilian ace who once again spearheaded Flick’s Champions League charge.
Although Raphinha might have been linked with a potential move away from Catalonia last summer, the former Leeds talisman has quickly blossomed into one of Europe’s hottest stars.
With many billing the 28-year-old as a genuine Ballon d’Or contender, Raphinha also posted a pair of European assists to go with his 12th Champions League goal of the season here.
Tapping from basically on the line and opening the scoring, the Brazilian international has provided 19 direct goal contributions in his 11 Champions League appearances this year.
Remarkably averaging a European strike every 77 minutes and leading the chase for the Golden Boot, Raphinha has a leading role to play in Barca’s charge for Champions League glory.
Match Report
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde, de Jong, Pedri, Lopez, Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski
Subs: Garcia, Fati, Torres, Gavi, Araujo
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Ryerson, Can, Anton, Bensebaini, Nmecha, Chukwuemeka, Brandt, Gittens, Adeyemi, Guirassy
Subs: Sule, Duranville, Beier, Reyna, Ozcan
Goals: Raphinha (25’), Lewandowski (48’, 66’), Yamal (77’)
Yellow Cards: Adeyemi, Guirassy
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Espen Eskas
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