Barcelona 3-1 Borussia Dortmund: 3 Reasons why the Blaugrana won | Champions League 2019-20

#2 Borussia Dortmund play into Barcelona’s hands

Lucien Favre

On match-day 1, Borussia Dortmund had showcased enough attacking verve and zeal to put Barcelona under strife. Thus, before the contest at the Camp Nou, they had a template that could be followed, wherein they could trade punches with the Blaugrana, hoping to pile up the pressure on their make-shift defence.

However, the German outfit were extremely defensive with their approach at the outset, a fact embodied by the choice of personnel. Hakimi and Raphael Guerreiro were fielded as wingers whereas Axel Witsel and Julian Weigl functioned as the defensive midfielders. Thus, Dortmund essentially had 8 defensive-minded outfield players, with Julian Brandt and Marco Reus proving the only anomalies.

Consequently, they conceded possession to Barcelona and allowed them to settle into a passing rhythm. And, unsurprisingly, the German side were put to the sword by the La Liga champions.

Moreover, they contrived to give the ball away in dangerous areas, something that cost them dearly through the course of the game, with the second goal exemplifying the above.

At the start of the second half, there seemed to be more intent on Dortmund’s part and they instantly looked a better side and one capable of mounting a comeback. And, though that particular endeavour was nipped in a bud by the Blaugrana, it certainly displayed the trick the German side had missed out on.

And, courtesy their circumspect approach, they now face a clutch tie against Slavia Prague on match-day 6.