Borussia Dortmund 3-1 (3-5 Agg) Barcelona Player Ratings: Guirassy Hat-trick Not Enough as Valiant Dortmund Falls Short

Serhou Guirassy’s hat-trick was not enough as a valiant Dortmund bowed out of the UEFA Champions League despite beating Barcelona 3-1 on the night, with the Catalan club going through to the semis 5-3 on aggregate.

Dortmund knew that anything less than a win would not suffice, and they started the game like a house on fire. Backed by an almost maddening home support, they did all the early running and put pressure on the otherwise composed Barcelona backline.

Dortmund should have gone ahead as early as the 5th minute of the game when a cross from the left flank found Guirassy, but his effort was brilliantly saved at point-blank range by Szczęsny. However, the home side’s pressure eventually told off as they took the lead 5 minutes later. Pascal Groß reacted quicker than Szczęsny, who committed a clumsy foul in the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Guirassy dispatched the penalty with an audacious panenka to give the home side the lead.

Dortmund did not stop there as they went about hassling, harrying, and coaxing the Barcelona defense into constant mistakes. For a team that is as composed as the Blaugrana, this was an exercise in holding on as Dortmund were absolutely relentless. The likes of Adiyemi, Yan Couto, Maxi Beier constantly ran at the Barcelona defense. Even the young and dynamic Barca attack could not get much purchase of the Dortmund defense.

Dortmund scored a second goal, but that was ruled out for offside. Dortmund did not relent as they kept pressing and probing in search of the second goal that would open up the tie even further. Beier shot tamely at the keeper, Bensebaini saw his header saved as well, while Adiyemi saw his two shots saved as Dortmund did not give Barcelona even the slightest respite.

For Barcelona, nothing seemed to come right in the first half. They looked disjointed, jaded, and out of sync as they welcomed the half-time whistle lucky to only be 1-0 down.

Dortmund came out all guns blazing in the second half as well and almost immediately doubled their lead. A chaotic Barca defense could not track Bensebaini, whose smart-headed pass found Guirassy, who buried it from 2 yards out. However, just when it seemed that Dortmund could muster a famous comeback, Bensebaini became the tragic hero as he inadvertently bundled Fermin Lopez’s cross into his own net.

That own goal, however, did not sap Dortmund’s spirit. They believed that Barcelona was right there for the taking and they threw the kitchen sink at them. They kept attacking relentlessly and Kovac’s subs played at that. Barca brought in Pedri and the likes to kill the clock as well as the game. Just when it seemed they were home, Dortmund struck again. Substitute Duranville’s cross was cleared by Araujo only as far as Guirassy, who needed no second invitation to get his hat-trick.

Dortmund huffed and puffed, but in the end, that 4-goal loss in the first leg was too huge an ask to overcome. For Barca, it was a jolt that should bring them back to earth as they make the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time since 2019.

Here are the Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona player ratings.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings

GK- Gregor Kobel- 5.5/10

Had virtually nothing to do in the first half. Was powerless to stop his own goal.

RCB- Niklas Süle- 7.5/10

The big German was an absolute colossus in defense. Blocks, tackles, clearances, you name it and he did everything. Successfully shut down Raphinha, something that not many defenders have managed to.

CB- Waldemar Anton- 6.5/10

Was a sturdy presence in the heart of defense. Constantly popped up to win his share of headers.

LCB- Ramy Bensebaini- 7/10

Assisted the second goal with a smart-headed layoff. Minutes later he turned into a villain when he prodded a Fermin cross into his own net.

RWB- Yan Couto- 6.5/10

The wing-back was a tireless presence as he did not stop running at all. Constantly popped up in empty spaces and progressed the ball upfield.

CM- Pascal Groß- 7/10

Won the penalty with quick thinking to steal the ball away from Szczęsny. Ran the midfield like his Brighton days, constantly haranguing the Barca players into mistakes.

CM- Felix Nmecha- 6/10

Used his physical presence well to shield the ball away from his markers. Strode forward on occasion and combined well with his forwards. Subbed after the hour mark.

LWB- Daniel Svensson- 6/10

His crosses from the left caused a number of problems for the Barca defense to handle. Was stout defensively as well.

RF- Maximilian Beier- 5.5/10

While he tried gamely and also had a few shots that were saved or off-target, he was off the boil a bit. Never managed to match the intensity of his fellow attackers as he was subbed later in the second half

ST- Serhou Guirassy- 9/10

Scored an audacious panenka to give his side the lead early in the 1st half. Just when it seemed he had drifted out of the game, he scored a towering header at the start of the second half to double the lead. Completed his hat-trick with a poacher’s finish.

LF- Karim Adiyemi- 7/10

Used his pace to devastating effect to constantly get the better of the Barca defenders. Was a consistent threat down the left flank and was unlucky not to score.

Sub- Gio Reyna- 5/10

Was not able to influence the game. Had a few moments and that was it

Sub- Julien Duranville- 6/10

A bright spark since his introduction. Created the 3rd goal with his incisive cross.

Sub- Julian Brandt- 5/10

Scored but was offside. Nothing apart from that

Sub- Jamie Gittens- N/A

Late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Manager- Niko Kovac- 7.5/10

Did everything right but unfortunate to end up on the losing side. His attacking approach to the game almost got him the desired result but it was not to be.

Barcelona Player Ratings

GK- Wojciech Szczęsny- 7/10

The busier of the two goalies, but had a great night. While he could do absolutely nothing about all three goals, he kept his side in the game with several good saves. Funny that he is still performing at an elite level despite literally having been called out of retirement.

RB- Jules Kounde- 5/10

Was decent in defense and just about average in attack. Was given a good run by Adeyemi.

RCB- Ronald Araújo- 4/10

Could not handle the wave after wave of Dortmund attacks and it took Szczęsny to bail him out. Gifted Guirassy his hat-trick goal on a platter.

LCB- Pau Cubarsí- 4.5/10

A tough evening for the youngster who came out second best in most of his challenges. Should have positioned himself better for Dortmund’s second goal

LB- Gerard Martín- 4/10

Had a difficult game like the rest of his defense as he could not come to terms with Dortmund’s relentless pressing.

CDM- Frenkie de Jong- 5/10

Booked for a wild swipe in the first half. Could not influence proceedings with his passing as Dortmund constantly swarmed him time and time again.

CDM- Gavi- 4.5/10

A rather ordinary game for the youngster as he was more focused on being more physical rather than managing the game. Was subbed in the second half.

RW- Lamine Yamal- 5/10

The gifted youngster had one of his off days tonight. Was well-shackled by Bensebaini as he could not get his bearings right throughout the game.

CAM- Fermín López- 5.5/10

His cross led to the own-goal that gave his side a crucial bit of breathing room. Was rather ineffective otherwise.

LW- Raphinha- 5/10

A game where he was well and truly shut down, and he hasn’t had that many. Was absolutely clamped down by Sule and there was nothing he could do to shake him off.

ST- Robert Lewandowski- 4.5/10

An ineffective performance by the Pole against his former club. Involved in the possession but was more often than not starved of service. Subbed.

Sub- Pedri- 5.5/10

Brought some sort of control into the game after his introduction. Passed well and bought stability in the middle

Sub- Ferran Torres- 5/10

Late sub, but could not influence proceedings much.

Sub- Eric Garcia- N/A

Late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Sub- Dani Olmo- N/A

Very late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Manager- Hansi Flick- 4/10

Was a poorly coached game by the German. His players seemed complacent and his changes and tactics did not really inspire confidence. needs to get his act right for the semis.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Serhou Guirassy.