Szczesny 7, Araujo 4: Barcelona Player Ratings in Defeat Against Dortmund

Barcelona’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals was overshadowed by a sobering 3-1 loss in the second leg against Borussia Dortmund. Despite their aggregate win thanks to a 4-0 triumph in the first leg, the individual performances in Germany have sparked plenty of discussion—and not for the right reasons.

One of the standout names on the night was Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish goalkeeper, often underrated, started the match poorly by conceding a penalty within the opening ten minutes. His decision to rush off his line and bring down the attacker handed Dortmund the early advantage. However, Szczesny redeemed himself in remarkable fashion, pulling off a total of eight saves to keep his team from crumbling under the pressure.

His composure after that early mistake was commendable. Time and again, he stood firm against Dortmund’s relentless attack, diving low to block a close-range effort, stretching high to tip over a curling strike, and positioning himself perfectly to cut out dangerous crosses. Without Szczesny’s brilliance between the posts, Barcelona could have easily collapsed.

Another positive note came from young midfielder Fermín López. Awarded a rating of 7, Fermín contributed significantly to Barcelona’s aggregate lead when his involvement pressured a Dortmund defender into scoring an own goal. That moment extended Barça’s cushion and seemed to settle nerves early on.

But football is a game of small margins, and Fermín had one of the night’s most agonizing moments as well. With the score at 2-1, he had a golden opportunity to equalize on the night and kill off any chance of a comeback. Unfortunately, his shot flew narrowly wide. Still, his overall influence and energy in midfield earned him praise from fans and analysts alike.

The same cannot be said for Ronald Araujo. Rated a dismal 4, the Uruguayan center-back endured a night to forget. Known for his strength, aggression, and leadership, Araujo looked lost against Dortmund’s fast-paced attack. His most glaring error came late in the second half when a poor clearance landed straight at the feet of a Dortmund forward, leading to the third and final goal.

It’s not the first time questions have been raised about Araujo’s composure on big European nights. While he often dominates in domestic competition, his Champions League performances have been erratic. Barcelona’s fans and coaching staff will no doubt hope this was an outlier rather than a worrying trend.

Elsewhere in defense, Jules Koundé and Pau Cubarsí each earned modest ratings of 6 and 6.5 respectively. Koundé held his own on the flanks but struggled to deliver accurate forward passes. Cubarsí, despite his youth, looked more composed and dealt admirably with several one-on-one situations.

In midfield, Martín Zubimendi—on loan from Real Sociedad—earned a 6 for a steady but unspectacular performance. Gavi, returning from injury, looked lively and earned a 6.5, showing flashes of brilliance but also signs of rust. Frenkie de Jong, however, stood out with a rating of 7. He was calm in possession, broke up attacks, and made key interceptions.

Lamine Yamal was given a 6.5, reflecting his mixed outing. The teenager was dangerous in bursts, especially in the first half, but was unable to provide the final ball or shot to impact the scoreline. His connection with the midfield seemed off—likely affected by Pedri’s initial absence from the starting eleven.

Robert Lewandowski, tasked with leading the line, earned a 6. The Polish striker was largely isolated and failed to create much on his own. He did link well with Raphinha on a couple of occasions but lacked the service he usually thrives on.

Raphinha himself also received a 6. He was industrious down the wing, tried to stretch Dortmund’s defense, and had a few moments of individual brilliance. Yet, like many of his teammates, his influence waned as the match wore on.

Pedri, brought on in the second half, once again proved his worth. He earned a rating of 7 for a performance that steadied the ship. Barcelona looked more cohesive and dangerous with him on the pitch. His passing range and vision changed the flow of the game, though it was too late to overturn the scoreline on the night.

From the bench, Eric García and Ferran Torres came on but didn’t do enough to alter proceedings, each receiving a 6. Dani Olmo, who was introduced too late to make a real impact, was not rated.

In conclusion, while Barcelona advance in the Champions League, the second leg against Dortmund exposed both individual weaknesses and broader tactical concerns. Szczesny and Pedri stood tall, while Araujo’s error proved costly. With tougher challenges ahead, Hansi Flick will need to reassess his lineup decisions and get his key players firing on all cylinders.

The Champions League semifinals await—and if Barcelona are to lift the trophy in June, they must learn quickly from this night in Dortmund. The talent is there, but consistency and composure must follow.