Contundente y Polémico: This was the 4-0 of the Barça al Dortmund

On April 9, 2025, the FC Barcelona gave a blow of authority in the final quarters of the UEFA Champions League by beating 4-0 to Borussia Dortmund at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. This result, framed on the side of the elimination, not only places the team culminated in a semi-final foot, but also unleashed debates for its contundency and certain controversial decisions in the party.

Alignments

FC Barcelona (4-3-3):

• Porter: Wojciech Szczesny
• Defenses: Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde
• Campers: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Fermín López
• Delanteros: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
• Relevant substitutes: Gavi (by Fermin, 74′), Ferran Torres (by Lewandowski, 81′), Ansu Fati (by Yamal, 86′), Eric García (by Pedri, 81′)
• Coach: Hansi Flick

Borussia Dortmund (4-3-3):

• Porter: Gregor Kobel
• Defense: Julian Ryerson (Süle, 78′), Waldemar Anton, Emre Can, Ramy Bensebaini
• Campers: Felix Nmecha (Özcan, 67′), Carney Chukwuemeka (Reyna, 67′), Julian Brandt
• Delanteros: Karim Adeyemi (Beier, 45′), Serhou Guirassy, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Duranville, 78′)
• Coach: Niko Kovac

Technical and Tactical Analysis

The party had two contrasting halves: a first competitive time and a second absolute mastery of the Barça. Hansi Flick held his 4-3-3 with high pressure, while Niko Kovac bet for a daring yet fragile Dortmund back.

1. First Time: Balance and the Beginning of the Polemic
   • The Barça controlled possession (60%) and sought to overflow with Yamal and Raphinha, but the Dortmund responded with intense pressure and rapid transitions. Guirassy had two clear occasions (one at the post after dripping Balde), but he did not concretize.
   • The 1-0 came in the 25′: Fermin threw out a fault, Iñigo Martínez prolonged and Raphinha finished after a detour of Cubarsi. The move generated controversy over a possible out of Cubarsi’s positional game that the VAR did not thoroughly review, unleashing criticism of the referee (Szymon Marciniak) and the system.
   • The Dortmund maintained the type, but his lack of aiming and interventions by Iñigo Martínez avoided the tie.
2. Second Time: Exhibition and Removal
   • The Barça adjusted his pressure after the break and liquidated the match in 30 minutes. In 48′, Yamal attended Raphinha, whose center was Lewandowski for 2-0.
   • In ’66, Fermin combined with Yamal and Lewandowski defined 3-0 after a back pass. The 4-0 came in 77′ in a lethal contra: Lewandowski recovered, Raphinha attended and Yamal marked with class.
   • Typically, the Barça shined for its intensity in recovery (De Jong and Pedri key) and precision in attack. The Dortmund, after 2-0, lost structure, leaving holes that the culés exploded without mercy.
3. Keys of the Party
   • High Pressure: The Barça drowned the exit of the Dortmund, forcing errors.
   • Imparable Trident: Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha totaled 4 goals and 2 assists.
   • Solid Defense: Iñigo Martínez and Cubarsi neutralized the Dortmund.
   • German Collapse: Lack of tactical reaction and defensive errors after rest.

MVP of the Party

Robert Lewandowski: With two goals (48′ and 66′) and a 4-0 assistance, the Polish was the axis of the attack I blamed. His pressure and scorching smell (40 so many this season) made him worthy of the prize for the best of the party by UEFA.

Score of Players (Scale 1-10)

Barcelona:

• Szczesny: 7 – Sure, although little demanded.
• Koundé: 8 – Impeccable back and with useful climbs.
• Cubarsi: 8.5 – Great match, though wrapped in the 1-0 polemic.
• Iñigo Martínez: 9 – Muro defensivo, annulled Guirassy.
• Balde: 7.5 – Solid, with some initial rush.
• From Jong: 9 – Recovery and Elite Vision.
• Pedri: 8 – Quality and control in the middle.
• Fermin: 8.5 – Assistance and much second part.
• Yamal: 9 – Gol, assistance and constant overflow.
• Lewandowski: 10 – Two goals, assistance, absolute leader.
• Raphinha: 9 – Gol, assistance and danger by the band.

Dortmund:

• Kobel: 6 – No fault in the goals, little could do.
• Ryerson: 5 – Overtaken by Raphinha.
• Anton: 5.5 – Overboard after rest.
• Can: 6 – He tried to lead, but he wrecked.
• Bensebaini: 5 – Yamal disarmed him.
• Nmecha: 5 – No impact.
• Chukwuemeka: 5.5 – Pressed at the beginning, then disappeared.
• Brandt: 6 – Some flash, but insufficient.
• Adeyemi: 6 – He threatened early, then diluted.
• Guirassy: 5 – He failed clear chances.
• Gittens: 5.5 – He tried without success.

Arbitrary and VAR polyester

1. The 1-0 and the Out of Dudose Game
   • In the initial goal, Pau Cubarsi seemed to be in a position ahead of deflecting the ball. The VAR, led by Pawel Gil, reviewed the move but validated in less than 30 seconds, which generated criticism for lack of rigor. Later images showed a millimetric line that did not fully clarify the decision.
   • Kovac and the Dortmund players protested angryly, and experts like Iturralde González said: “It was a move to review more time. The protocol failed.”
2. Not Pitada Lack Before 2-0
   • In the second goal play, some noted a possible lack of Fermin about Chukwuemeka in recovery. The referee left behind, and the VAR did not intervene, which fed the German complaints of “home arbitration”.
3. Arbitrator consistency
   • Szymon Marciniak, known for his firmness, was questioned for not sanctioning with yellow several tactical faults of the Barça in the second time, while he quickly admonished Emre Can (32′) and Nmecha (55′).

Post-Partido statements

• Hansi Flick (Barça Trainer): “We made a great match, but it is not closed. The first goal was legal, I trust the VAR. Lewandowski is on an incredible level, but they all contributed. “
• Robert Lewandowski (MVP): “I count for goals and victory. I don’t look at the VAR, I look at the ball and the area. Turn around, we’ll win. “
• Raphinha: “The 1-0 seemed out of play on the court, but if they did, it’s fine. We played a game, though we shouldn’t trust each other. “
• Niko Kovac (Teacher of the Dortmund): “The first goal changed everything and should not go up to the scoreboard. We missed concentration later, but arbitration influenced. Reassembling will be tough, but we’ll try. “
• Emre Can (Captain of the Dortmund): “The VAR did not work today. That 1-0 was out of line, and he killed us. Then we lacked character. “

Reactions in Social Media

In X, the party unleashed a storm:

• Punchas culés celebrated: “Lewandowski is the best 9 in the world” and “Yamal, what a jewel, the Dortmund did not see or pass.”
• VAR Reviews: “Another theft in Champions, the 1-0 is scandalous” and “El Barça plays well, but with arbitral aid”.
• Dortmund on fire: “Kovac out, this is humiliating” and “Guirassy doesn’t give the size.”
• Tactical praises: “Flick has turned Barça into a machine”.

World Sports Press

• SPORT (Spain): “The Barça takes over the Dortmund in a magical night. Polémica with 1-0, but football culminated in was superior. “
• Sports World (Spain): “Historical Tour with a star Lewandowski. The VAR, again in the eye of the hurricane. “
• Brand (Spain): “The Barcelona humiliates the Dortmund, but the VAR gives 1-0. Flick flies high.”
• Bild (Germany): “Dortmund, emptied in Barcelona. The referee and VAR sentence Kovac. “
• L’Équipe (France): “The Barça de Flick amazes, although with arbitral aid. Lewandowski, eternal. “
• The Times (United Kingdom): “Barcelona shatters the Dortmund in a party stained by the VAR.”

Comments of Experts

• Xavi Hernández (Exjugador): “The Barça was very superior, but the 1-0 generates doubts. Flick has the team at a very high level. “
• Gary Neville (Sky Sports): “The VAR failed in the first goal, but the Barça would have won the same. His second time was devastating. “
• Iturralde González (Arbitro): “Cubarsi’s out-of-play was revisible. The VAR was not up to date, and that conditioned the game. “
• Jurgen Klopp (Analist): “The Dortmund surrendered after 2-0. The Barça has a lethal trident, but arbitration did not help justice. “

Extended Analysis

The 4-0 is a reflection of the best moment of the Barça under the direction of Flick, with a trident that is in full form and a defense that is solid. However, the arbitral decisions have left a shadow over the result: the 1-0, which was crucial to opening the party, left a bitter taste in the Dortmund, which had its opportunities in the first half. In the second part, the Barça completely dominated, thanks to tactical adjustments as a more intense pressure and rapid transitions that exposed the weaknesses of a Dortmund that did not know how to react. Although the elimination seems to be determined, the doubts about the VAR and the response capacity of the German team in the match back remain a bit intrigued. Was it an indisputable victory or a gift from the referee? The debate is open.