Barcelona know a 4-0 lead after the first leg of a UEFA Champions League tie in not impenetrable but it’s safe to say Borussia Dortmund need a miracle to turn this quarterfinal around.
Hansi Flick’s side have been stifled by the tension of a La Liga title race over the past two weekends, drawing 1-1 at home to Real Betis and squeaking past relegation-threatened Leganes 1-0 last time out.
Between those games, they put Dortmund to the sword with a resounding 4-0 triumph, guaranteeing their progress to the semis.
An early goal for BVB would get the Yellow Wall interested at Signal Iduna Park but Barca’s comeback from 4-0 down to beat Paris Saint-Germain on home turf in 2017 is overwhelmingly likely to remain a one-off.The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
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Borussia Dortmund vs, Barcelona lineups, starting 11, team news
Pascal Gross missed the first leg through suspension but came back into the Dortmund midfield for their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker and is likely to keep his place.
Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck are long-term absentees with knee issues, while Niko Kovac is likely to revert back to his trusted 4-2-3-1 having experimented with a three-man defence in recent weeks.
Dortmund predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Kobel (GK) — Ryson Anton, Can, Bensebaini — Gross, Nmecha — Gittens, Brandt, Adeyemi. — Guirassy
Injured: Schlotterbeck (ACL), Sabitzer (ACL)
Suspended: None
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Barca will be without first-choice left-back Alejandro Balde after he suffered a hamstring injury against Leganes that is likely to keep him out for a month.
Dani Olmo is unlikely to recover from his adductor complaint in time, leaving Flick with a choice between Fermin Lopez and Gavi in the No. 10 position.
Long-term victims Marc Bernal, Marc Casado and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen remain sidelined.
Barcelona predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel (GK) — Anton, Can, Bensebaini — Ryerson, Nmecha, Chukwuemeka, Gittens — Brandt — Guirassy, Adeyemi.
Injured: Balde (hamstring), Bernal (ACL), Casado (ACL), Ter Stefen (ACL)
Suspended: None
Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund live stream, TV channel
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