Away from home, the Spanish team suffered from the pressure of the opposition, but maintained the advantage.
A veteran 36-year-old Polish striker, already far from his peak. A 28-year-old Brazilian, pressured by two disappointing seasons. And a young 17-year-old Spaniard, from whom much could already be expected, but not that at that age he could hear comparisons between his trajectory and that of Lionel Messi. At the start of the 2024/25 season, few would have pointed to Barcelona as a candidate to become the sensation of European football.
Few would say that the squad led by German Hansi Flick would have the chance to equal the feats of the iconic Catalan team led by the Messi/Suárez/Neymar trio in the last decade. But expectations have been dashed with the almost improbable attack formed by Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. This Tuesday (15), the trio was not at their most inspired.
All three failed to score and Barça had a bit of luck to avoid what would have been an embarrassment against Borussia Dortmund. The Spanish team lost to the German team away from home, 3-1, but advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with an aggregate score of 5-3, thanks to a 4-0 win in the first leg.
Ramy Bensebaini scored an own goal that halted the German team’s comeback and allowed Barcelona to recover and keep their quest for the treble alive. Leader of the Spanish Championship, the team has also qualified for the Copa del Rey final.
