Barcelona is preparing for a crucial second-leg showdown against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, following a commanding 4-0 victory in the first leg at Montjuïc Stadium.
In a surprising move, German manager Hansi Flick is reportedly planning to leave out star striker Robert Lewandowski from the starting lineup for Tuesday’s match at Signal Iduna Park. This decision, according to media reports, could pave the way for Ferran Torres—dubbed the “golden substitute”—to lead the attack instead.
The Catalan squad traveled to Germany earlier today with confidence running high, aiming not only to secure their spot in the semi-finals but also to make a bold statement to their European rivals.
Trusted journalist Helena Condis revealed that Flick intends to rotate his squad for the return leg. With Alejandro Balde sidelined due to injury, young defender Gerard Martín is expected to step in at left-back. Additionally, Gavi is set to return to the starting lineup.
The potential benching of Lewandowski is particularly surprising, given his standout performance in the first leg where he netted two goals. Despite his importance to the team, it appears Flick is prioritizing freshness and squad depth for what remains of their Champions League journey.
