Hansi Flick, the head coach of FC Barcelona, is steadfast in his approach ahead of the clash with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final second leg. Despite holding a commanding 4-0 lead from the previous week's match at Montjuïc, Flick is leaving nothing to chance and is approaching tonight's game at the Signal Iduna Park with utmost seriousness.
In a strategic move, Flick has decided to rest Iñigo Martínez, who is at risk of suspension, should he receive a yellow card, which would rule him out of the first leg of the semifinals. Gavi replaces Pedri in the double pivot. Another forced change sees Gerard Martín stepping in for the injured Balde, who is facing a three-week layoff and will miss the Copa del Rey final. In total, three alterations from the lineup that secured victory over Leganés last weekend.
The starting lineup for Barcelona against Dortmund is as follows:
Szczesny; Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín; De Jong, Gavi; Lamine, Fermín, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
On the bench for FC Barcelona will be:
Iñaki Peña cgkc, Kochen cgkc, Iñigo Martínez, Christensen, Eric Garcia, Héctor Fort, Pedri, Pablo Torre, Olmo, Ansu Fati, Ferran, and Pau Víctor.
Players out due to injury: Balde, Casadó, Ter Stegen, and Bernal.
Under suspension risk: Iñaki Peña.
A notable absence in the lineup is Ferran Torres. It was anticipated that Flick might rest Lewandowski and opt for Torres, who had made an impact in the previous encounter in Dortmund by scoring a brace and is currently in fine form.
Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona face off in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. While both teams are on the brink of the semifinals, Barcelona seems poised for progression following their convincing 4-0 victory in the first leg. The Catalan club is aiming to reach the semifinals after six seasons and put behind the haunting memories of past eliminations like in Rome and Liverpool. The substantial lead from the first leg seemingly guarantees Barcelona's path forward, yet Flick is keen on ensuring no complacency creeps in.
Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis from MARCA's journalists, providing insights into the matchup between Dortmund and Barcelona, as well as the latest news from the Aston Villa vs PSG match. Catch the live match commentary on Radio MARCA starting at 9:00 PM and join the post-match analysis with live coverage from MARCA's editorial team.
As the excitement builds for the showdown between Dortmund and Barcelona, the stakes are high as the two teams battle it out for a spot in the prestigious Champions League semifinals. Follow the action closely to witness which team emerges victorious in this crucial encounter that will determine their European fate.