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News

WED 16.04.2025 | News

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona prepare for the quarter-final second legs

The two clubs enter the second legs of their ties in very different situations.

News

WED 16.04.2025

There is more Champions League football this coming midweek, with FC Barcelona travelling to Germany to take on Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday April 15th, while Real Madrid will try to pull off another epic comeback when they host Arsenal at the Bernabéu on Wednesday April 16th.

Hansi Flick’s charges are ready to stamp their semi-final ticket

FC Barcelona are aiming to reach the semi-finals of this tournament for the first time since 2019 and they have a great chance of doing so, given that they travel to Dortmund with a 4-0 advantage. It was an exhibition at home in the first leg and Los Azulgranas have now gone 23 matches without losing, the fifth-greatest unbeaten run in club history after those achieved under Frank Rijkaard (24), Pep Guardiola (28), Ernesto Valverde (29) and Luis Enrique (39). They have been very solid at the back, conceding less than a goal per game across their past five matches, with Wojciech Szczęsny remains unbeaten at the club. 

Looking at the stars of this excellent run of form, the trident of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal stand out with their 82 goals. They are terrifying defences at home and abroad, with more goals than the attacks this season of Bayern Munich (65), Real Madrid (64), PSG (64), Liverpool (62) and Atlético de Madrid (55). Lamine Yamal is still just 17 years of age and continues to break records, most recently becoming the under-18 with the most appearances in the competition. He was brilliant in the first leg, participating directly in the creation of three goals and scoring one of his own. Alongside him is Raphinha, the competition’s top scorer with 12 strikes. Then, there’s the veteran Lewandowski, who scored a brace to reach 48 goals in Champions League knockout ties. He is also just one goal away from his 100th as a Barça player and he will look to add to his tally of 29 goals in 28 games against Borussia Dortmund, his former home.

It would be a miracle if Borussia Dortmund progress on Tuesday, even though they’ve won their past five two-legged knockout ties in the Champions League, including a win against a Spanish side with a 5–4 aggregate victory over Atlético de Madrid last season. Overall, their record against Spanish teams in two-legged ties is seven triumphs and three defeats. Given their proud history, Signal Iduna Park will roar and do its part to try to encourage Niko Kovač’s troops. They have goals in them, with Serhou Guirassy boasting 10 goals this European campaign, while Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt will also need to be at their best if there is to even be a hope of a comeback, ahead of a semi-final against either Bayern Munich or Inter. 

Real Madrid believe they can achieve another historic comeback at the Bernabéu

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are preparing for their second leg against Arsenal at the Bernabéu. They’ll need to overturn a 3-0 first leg deficit, but if any club can achieve this then it’s Real Madrid. 

After Declan Rice scored a pair of freekick goals for the first time in his professional career, with Mikel Merino adding a third, the reigning champions are on the ropes. But, their recent history in Europe gives some cause for them to believe. There have been several epic nights at the Bernabéu in recent editions of the Champions League, such as the wins against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City in 2021/22, with the likes of Karim Benzema and Rodrygo scoring several late goals.  

Furthermore, Los Blancos have a good record in ties against English clubs. On seven occasions, they have reached the semi-finals by defeating an English team. Furthermore, Real Madrid haven’t gone out at the quarter-final stage since 2003/04, always exiting before or usually after. 

As for Arsenal, they’ll travel to Spain with confidence of their own after their exhibition in London in the first leg. Mikel Arteta has built a solid and competitive team and they’re aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2009. Rice and also Bukayo Saka will be key to helping them maintain or add to their lead, while the team as a whole will try to limit Kyian Mbappé, who already has 33 goals this season, and also Vinícius, who has been a big part of the previous comebacks at the Bernabéu and who has seven goals this Champions League season already. Dani Ceballos should return too, and that’ll be a big boost for Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield, while Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham will also hope to have a major impact.

It’ll be a fascinating watch, with the winner of this tie going on to face either PSG or Aston Villa in the semi-finals. 

 

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