There was a time when reaching the final stages of the UEFA Champions League was routine for Barcelona. Between the 2005-06 and 2018-19 seasons, the Blaugrana reached the top four in nine editions of the competition and lifted four trophies.

However, the last five difficult years, including two group-stage eliminations and participation in the Europa League, were necessary to remind them of what was once taken for granted. Barcelona’s trip to Dortmund has no other reason.

Barcelona’s European dream continues in Germany. The opening group-stage loss in Monaco was a mirage, and since then, Hansi Flick’s team has crushed every opponent on their path to the Munich final. In total, nine wins, one draw, and one loss, with 36 goals scored (more than three per game) and 14 conceded. Almost nothing.

Impressive stats from a fearless young team unwilling to repeat past nightmares in Rome, Liverpool, or Lisbon. Flick’s players are writing their own history; the present and future are so exciting and motivating that there’s no time to dwell on the past.

Yellow Hell

Barcelona’s emphatic 4-0 win in the first leg at Montjuïc has put the Catalan side in a nearly unassailable position to reach the Champions League semifinals. The Catalans travel to the legendary Westfalenstadion with a commanding lead, which will somewhat mitigate the intensity of the Yellow Hell awaiting them.

When tickets for this match went on sale at the end of March, 300,000 Dortmund fans rushed to buy them. As their slogan and brand say: “Echte Liebe” (True Love).

The stadium’s capacity will reduce the number of home supporters cheering for Niko Kovač’s team to a third, as sporting director Lars Ricken warned in a recent interview with Sky.

However, Barcelona won’t be alone: 3,037 Barça fans, the highest number this season, will accompany the team on this trip. Hansi Flick has won over his fans, moving from general indifference to memorizing the team’s lineup. Regardless of how the season ends, this is an undeniable success.

Without Balde in the lineup but with Dani Olmo ready to play, Barcelona doesn’t intend to rely on the first-leg result. The lineup will be reliable, with minimal changes, and the team will play boldly. As Flick emphasized in yesterday’s press conference, the team will play to enjoy themselves.

When asked about Borussia Dortmund’s desire to create a “miracle” in this match against Barcelona, the German coach warned: “It will be a tough game, but I have great confidence in my players.”