Why it matters:
Both European giants demonstrated resilience and depth by securing aggregate victories under pressure-packed conditions. Their progression sets up high-stakes semifinals, with Barcelona awaiting the winner of Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan, and PSG set to face either Real Madrid or Arsenal.
What he's saying:
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, whose side entered the second leg with a 4-0 advantage, witnessed his team struggle defensively in Germany. Despite a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund, they held on thanks to their dominant first-leg performance. Speaking after the match at Signal Iduna Park, the German head coach of the Catalans reflected on both the loss and his team’s advancement: "We could’ve performed better today, but expecting more from our players would be disrespectful to Dortmund."
Key points:
- Serhou Guirassy’s hat trick marked one of the standout individual performances of the tournament.
- PSG completed over twice as many passes as Aston Villa in the first half, reflecting their midfield dominance.
- Barcelona’s only goal in the second leg came from an own goal by Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini.
- Villa’s aggressive second-half push saw them score twice in just two minutes (55’ and 57’), but their overall aggregate deficit proved too great.
- Flick is now the first German manager to lead Barcelona into a Champions League semifinal since Udo Lattek in 1986.
- PSG’s progression keeps their hopes alive for their first Champions League title since the club’s founding in 1970.
Go deeper:
Barcelona appeared to be cruising after their emphatic 4-0 home win, but Dortmund put them on the back foot early in the second leg, with Guirassy’s penalty in the 11th minute rekindling hopes. He added two more goals, yet it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
At Villa Park, PSG struck early with goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, but a goal by Youri Tielemans just before halftime gave the hosts belief. Villa's John McGinn and Ezri Konsa scored in quick succession after the break, narrowing the aggregate difference to just one goal. Despite an intense push, Villa could not find the equalizer, and PSG advanced.
ahmad shirzadian
