In Dortmund, morale blow for Barca amid quadruple hunt

Barcelona reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2019 but Wednesday's defeat by Borussia Dortmund gave the Catalans cause for concern.

- Agencies

BARCELONA:

Hansi Flick's side lost their unbeaten start to 2025, falling at the 25th hurdle, and were given a scare in the 3-1 defeat by Dortmund, progressing 5-3 on aggregate after their emphatic first-leg rout.

Barca have been the competition's most entertaining side and for the first time in years are serious contenders to lift the trophy, but their undoing in Germany sapped at their confidence.

"There was not a great atmosphere in the dressing room... it was only when I told them, 'Lads, we're in the semi-finals,' that it lifted a bit," said Flick. Barcelona started well this season before a dismal slump towards the end of 2024 when they lost momentum and belief, before recovering after the winter break.