FC Barcelona delivered a commanding performance in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, securing a 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund. This dominant win at home puts the Catalan side on the brink of qualifying for the semi-finals.
From the opening whistle, Barcelona displayed remarkable superiority, especially in the first half, showcasing excellent organization, attacking flair, and defensive solidity. Their control of the match was evident, leaving their opponents with little room to respond.
Despite the celebratory mood surrounding the club’s emphatic win, not everyone in the squad was content. According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Ferran Torres was left deeply frustrated after being left on the bench for the match.
The Spanish forward, who is currently enjoying one of the best spells of his career, had expected to be part of the starting eleven. In 2025, Torres has consistently found the back of the net and emerged as one of Barcelona’s most in-form attackers, making his exclusion a surprise to many.
Torres had recently shone in the Copa del Rey, especially in the tie against his former club Valencia, where he scored a brilliant hat-trick. He also netted an important goal against Atlético Madrid that propelled Barcelona to the final.
In La Liga, he has featured regularly, though he has often been deployed on the left wing—a position he does not favor, despite adapting to it under former coach Xavi Hernández.
Fully aware of the fierce competition for attacking positions, Ferran hoped that current coach Hansi Flick would reward his impressive form with a starting role, especially over Raphinha, who has been battling fitness problems, or even Robert Lewandowski, who missed the recent match against Real Betis. However, Flick stuck with his usual lineup, preferring consistency over rotation, which resulted in Torres being benched again.
He was finally introduced in the 81st minute, a period too brief for him to make a significant contribution. His frustration was evident as he left the stadium, visibly upset by the lack of minutes.
While Barcelona’s victory has almost sealed their place in the Champions League semi-finals, the internal atmosphere is not entirely harmonious, with some players feeling overlooked despite their recent performances.
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