Barcelona advance to Champions League semifinals on aggregate

Despite a 3-1 defeat in Germany, Barcelona’s impressive first-leg advantage has propelled them into the UEFA Champions League semifinals on a 5-3 aggregate scoreline.

The Spanish giants weathered Borussia Dortmund’s challenge at Signal Iduna Park, leveraging their comprehensive 4-0 home victory to secure progression.

This marks a significant milestone in Barcelona’s resurgence under German tactician Hansi Flick, representing their first appearance in Europe’s final four since 2019. Their Champions League campaign has been remarkable, with the team amassing 37 goals across twelve fixtures while maintaining a formidable record of nine victories.

Following the match, Flick made headlines with pointed comments about squad performance, signaling his intention to maintain competitive selection standards. “No starting position is guaranteed,” the former Bayern Munich coach warned, amid what observers describe as growing internal competition for places.

Financial implications of the qualification are substantial, with Barcelona securing a €15 million bonus that brings their UEFA earnings to over €101 million this season—exceeding the club’s initial financial projections.

The semifinal draw sets Barcelona against either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich, with the first encounter scheduled for late April. Barcelona’s European pedigree includes seven final appearances, though they haven’t claimed the trophy since their 2015 triumph.

Meanwhile, speculation surrounds the future of once-celebrated La Masia product Ansu Fati. The 22-year-old forward, who returned from an English loan spell, has reportedly expressed interest in departing this summer after struggling to establish himself in Flick’s plans.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​