Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona preview: Team news and predicted lineups

Here is our preview of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg clash between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona, including our predicted lineups.

After the excitement of last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund must refocus on their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie with Barcelona tomorrow.

Pascal Groß missed out through suspension in the first-leg, as did Nico Schlotterbeck who has been ruled out for the rest of the season. However, aside from the sidelined Marcel Sabitzer, head coach Niko Kovač has a relatively clean bill of health to select from.

It would come as no surprise if Kovač decides to run with the same team that snatched a point in Bavaria, especially given the likes of Niklas Süle stood out against his former side with a composed performance.

Gregor Kobel will undoubtedly tend to regular goalkeeping duties, while the likes of Waldemar Anton and Rami Bensebaini should partner the aforementioned Süle in the three-man backline. Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson are expected to start at right and left wing-back roles respectively.

Pascal Groß should should hold down a central midfield spot which would allow Julian Brandt and Carney Chukwuemeka, the latter who also stood out against Bayern, to get into attacking positions. Finally, Serhou Guirassy is likely to partner the fleet-footed Maximilian Beier who found the net with a header on the weekend. 

As for Barcelona, they practically have one foot in the semi-finals after their comfortable 4-0 victory over BVB last Wednesday. The only notable absentees from Hansi Flick’s roster are Dani Olmo, Marc-André Ter Stegen and Marc Casado who are all sidelined for the game at the Wesfalenstadion.

The La Liga leaders managed a narrow 1-0 triumph over Leganes which came at a slight cost – Alejandro Baldé strained his hamstring and ought to be a major doubt for the Catalan giants tomorrow with Gerard Martin expected to replace him.

Barcelona should largely remain unchanged otherwise, with Szczesny between the sticks and a back four of Jules Koundé, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsí and the aforementioned Martin. The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and former BVB striker Robert Lewandowski should play from the first whistle. 

See the predicted lineups for Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona by clicking here.