"We may be somewhat of an "underdog," but that doesn’t necessarily work to Barcelona's advantage."

Borussia Dortmund is set to face FC Barcelona in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the 2024-2025 season UEFA Champions League on the morning of the 10th at 4 a.m. (Korea time) at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain.

Dortmund advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating France's LOSC Lille in the Round of 16. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at home, Dortmund secured their ticket to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory in the second leg away. In contrast, Barcelona breezed into the quarterfinals with two victories over Benfica.

This first leg of the quarterfinals is not an easy match for Dortmund. Barcelona has transformed into a team with a clear identity since the appointment of head coach Hansi Flick, showing stable performance both at home and away in the Champions League.

Ahead of the match, UEFA Champions League shared the contents of the press conference held by Dortmund's head coach Niko Kovac through official channels.

Head coach Kovac and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick share a past. In November 2019, Flick joined Bayern Munich as an assistant coach under then Bayern head coach Niko Kovac. Kovac stepped down from his position due to poor performance that November, and Flick took on the role of interim head coach, leading the team to a treble that season.

Kovac noted, "We know each other well and respect each other personally. We are familiar with each other's playing styles. I know the quality of Barcelona's attack, and we need to contain it. We came here to seize opportunities to exploit Barcelona's weaknesses and win."

He added, "I think Barcelona is the more favored team in this match. However, Dortmund is the team that reached the finals last season. Anything can happen here. We may be somewhat of an "underdog," but that doesn’t necessarily work to Barcelona's advantage."

Defender Waldemar Anton, who was also present at the press conference, spoke about the injury of Nico Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund announced through official channels, including the club's official website, on the 7th that "central defender Nico Schlotterbeck has been diagnosed with a left knee meniscus tear and will not be able to participate in the remainder of the season."

Schlotterbeck is an aggressive center-back with strong tackling and one-on-one defensive skills. Standing over 190 cm tall and possessing quick speed, he covers a wide area and excels in aerial duels.

He is not only important in defense. His precise passing and dribbling capabilities contribute significantly to build-up play, and his long passing ability stands out.

The absence of Schlotterbeck, who is crucial in both defense and attack, will be felt more than that of any other player. Anton stated, "Of course, his injury is a significant blow for us. He was a very important player both on and off the field. Schlotterbeck really wanted to play in this match, so we want to get a good result for him."

He emphasized, "We aren't preparing any differently. Players of this type often play unpredictably, so it's impossible to prepare completely. However, if we organize well as a team and move organically, we can defend effectively against them."

Meanwhile, Barcelona's Flick expressed caution toward Dortmund. He remarked, "Dortmund is a very stable team and plays very aggressive football," adding that "Coach Kovac will be able to field a good starting lineup, and it's a strong team defensively."

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