FC Barcelona advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Benfica (4-1 aggregate) and now face Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals on April 9th (in Barcelona) and April 15th (In Dortmund).
On Tuesday Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri propelled Barca into the quarterfinals with Lamal finishing with a goal and an assist, Raphinha 2 goals, and Pedri yet another Man of the Match performance.
With 11 Champions League goals, Raphinha set the record for goals in 1 Champions League season by a Brazilian player. When you consider the company he now sits in front of-Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Neymar, Kaka- it´s a significant accomplishment. In addition, only Messi has scored more goals in a CL season (14) for FC Barcelona and Raphinha could eclipse that number with the form he´s in.
Lamine, who had only scored 2 goals since January 15th, curled in perhaps the best goals of his young FC Barcelona career in the 27th minute after earlier providing for Raphinha´s first strike. He now has 10 goals and 16 assists in all competitions and coach Hansi Flick´s preferred attack of Lamine, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski have combined for an alarming 68 goals and 34 assists.
Pedri continued his incredible form with another Man of the Match performance and was seemingly everywhere on the pitch defending, attacking, and providing options to help Barca play out of tight areas. As he continues to establish himself as the best midfielder in the world, he remains the key to FC Barcelona´s success.
Barca now move onto the quarterfinals to face Borussia Dortmund, who came from behind to defeat Lille 2-1 on Wednesday securing a 3-2 advantage over 2 legs. While Dortmund has struggled domestically, currently sitting 10th in the Bundesliga table, their history in the Champions League is well documented and Barca will have their hands full over both legs.
Barca have 4 difficult matches before the April 9th 1st leg with 2 games against Atletico Madrid, a Catalan derby with Girona, and Real Betis. Dortmund plays one less match, but all 3 come against teams ahead of them in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig (6th), Mainz (3rd), and Freiburg (5th).
This is a classic Champions League matchup. Barca hasn´t reached the semifinals since 2018/2019 but are still on track to win a treble and have everything to play for. Dortmund will be looking to avenge their 2-0 final defeat last year to Real Madrid, and with their current Bundesliga situation winning the competition may be their only way to qualify next season. The only problem I see is that we must wait a month to watch it.