Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund, Barca pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, with Ferran Torres stepping up as the hero. Hansi Flick’s team displayed resilience after surrendering the lead twice, with Torres’ two late goals sealing a crucial victory. Despite Robert Lewandowski’s poor form, Barca’s attacking spark came from Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and the impactful Ferran Torres.
In this article, we analyze the standout performances, key moments, and tactical decisions that led to a memorable night at Signal Iduna Park.
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund: Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal shines again. A thriller.
First Half: Barcelona Struggle to Break Dortmund’s Resilience
The first half saw Barcelona dominate possession but struggle to create clear-cut chances. Borussia Dortmund’s defense, organized and resolute, absorbed pressure effectively.
Key Highlights
- Lamine Yamal’s Spark: The young star delivered an exquisite trivela pass to Raphinha, whose shot was saved by Gregor Kobel.
- Lewandowski’s Struggles: The Polish striker looked off the pace, managing just two shots, both failing to trouble the goalkeeper.
Dortmund, meanwhile, had their moments, with Julien Duranville causing Alejandro Balde all sorts of problems down the left flank.
Second Half: Drama Unfolds
Barcelona broke the deadlock early in the second half. Dani Olmo, who was one of Barca’s brightest sparks, played Raphinha through on goal, and the Brazilian calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
However, Dortmund found their way back almost immediately. Pau Cubarsi’s reckless shove on Serhou Guirassy handed the German side a penalty, which the striker converted with confidence.
Ferran Torres Changes the Game
Hansi Flick introduced Ferran Torres with 20 minutes to play, and the forward made an instant impact.
- First Goal: Torres capitalized on a rebound from Fermin Lopez’s shot to restore Barcelona’s lead.
- Second Goal: After Dortmund equalized again through a Guirassy tap-in, Torres combined with Lamine Yamal to fire home the winner late on.
The Magic of the @ChampionsLeague. pic.twitter.com/P44yQWqTzN
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 12, 2024
Player Ratings
Goalkeeper & Defense
- Inaki Pena (5/10): Floundered during Dortmund’s second equalizer but made some key saves earlier.
- Jules Kounde (6/10): Effective in attack but left gaps defensively.
- Pau Cubarsi (5/10): Gave away a clumsy penalty.
- Inigo Martinez (5/10): Struggled with Dortmund’s pressing.
- Alejandro Balde (4/10): Consistently beaten by Duranville on the flank.
Midfield
- Marc Casado (5/10): Lacked creativity, slowing down Barca’s attacks.
- Pedri (6/10): Won the ball multiple times but failed to make a significant attacking impact.
- Dani Olmo (8/10): Excellent in driving forward, providing the assist for Raphinha’s opener.
Attack
- Lamine Yamal (7/10): Created chances and provided a fantastic assist for Torres’ winner.
- Robert Lewandowski (3/10): A night to forget for the striker.
- Raphinha (8/10): Scored the opener and was Barca’s most consistent threat.
Substitutes
- Ferran Torres (8/10): Two crucial goals to secure the win.
- Fermin Lopez (6/10): Played a key role in the second goal.
- Frenkie de Jong (5/10): Misplaced passes marred his limited time.
- Eric Garcia & Pau Victor (N/A): Came on too late to impact the game.
Manager
- Hansi Flick (7/10): His substitutions changed the game, but defensive lapses remain a concern.
Conclusion
The Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund clash was a thrilling spectacle that showcased Barca’s attacking prowess and resilience. Despite defensive frailties and Lewandowski’s continued struggles, the Blaugrana found their savior in Ferran Torres.
This victory keeps Barcelona’s Champions League hopes alive and highlights the depth in their squad. However, Hansi Flick will need to address the recurring defensive issues if his team is to challenge for European glory.
🤳 Lamine Yamal’s POTM selfie pic.twitter.com/TqNEQChilA
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 12, 2024
FAQs
1. What was the final score of Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund?
The final score was 3-2 in favor of Barcelona.
2. Who was the standout player for Barcelona?
Ferran Torres was the standout player, scoring two late goals to secure the win.
3. Why did Robert Lewandowski underperform?
Lewandowski struggled to find space and failed to link up effectively with his teammates.
4. How did Borussia Dortmund score their goals?
- The first was a penalty converted by Serhou Guirassy after a foul by Pau Cubarsi.
- The second came from Guirassy, assisted by Pascal Gross.
5. What’s next for Barcelona in the Champions League?
Barcelona’s win against Dortmund positions them well for the knockout stages, but they need to tighten their defense in upcoming matches.
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