Dortmund or Lille – Who do Barcelona prefer as their opponents for UCL quarter-finals? | OneFootball

After securing their place in the last-eight stages of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Barcelona will find out their quarter-final opponent later tonight.

Either Borussia Dortmund or Lille will be the next challenge for Hansi Flick’s side, who are currently in top form and fully convinced they can lift the trophy on May 31 in Munich.

No clear preference among the players

According to SPORT, the Barcelona squad as a whole is not dwelling on whether they would rather face Dortmund or Lille. “It does not matter to us,” they insist.

Flick has successfully instilled in his players the mindset of focusing solely on themselves, blocking out external factors. There is a shared belief among the squad and coaching staff: “We can win or lose against anyone.”

The key message is that their approach must remain the same regardless of the opponent. That means high-intensity pressing, avoiding defensive errors, and treating every game with full respect – neither underestimating nor fearing any team.

What about the management?

Barcelona could face Dortmund or Lille in the QFs. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

At the club’s management level, there is no strong preference between Dortmund and Lille, but some believe the German side would be the better opponent for Barça.

The reasoning is simple: Dortmund are a big name, ensuring that the quarter-final would not be seen as a routine task. The hype around such a matchup would help maintain full focus within the squad.

If Barcelona were to face Lille instead, the external perception would likely be more optimistic, creating a sense that the tie would not be as difficult.

This, in turn, could lead to a dangerous sense of complacency. Facing the French club might also shift all the pressure onto Barça, as Lille would have little to lose and could play without fear.

From a tactical standpoint, Barcelona believe that Dortmund’s more open playing style could work in their favour.

Despite the German side’s higher quality, the Catalans have been thriving in matches with space to exploit. In contrast, they have struggled more against defensively compact teams, such as Alaves, Leganes, and Getafe.

Following their win over Benfica, there is great satisfaction within the coaching staff. The team executed Flick’s instructions perfectly after half-time and as such, confidence is high in the squad that they can go the distance.