They should also be encouraged by the fact that they have only lost one of their last eight games in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League (W5 D2), with that lone defeat coming against Real Madrid in last season’s final (0-2).
Dortmund have won each of their last three away games in the knockout stages of this competition, which is more than they had in their previous 17 such matches combined (D4 L11), whilst Jamie Gittens has been in sensational form in the premier European competition during 2024/25.
He's already scored four goals for BVB which is the most of any player aged 21 or under in the 24/25 edition of the tournament. The only player to net more for the club at that age in the competition is Erling Haaland (10 goals in 2020/21).
Nico Kovac will be aware of course that his side haven't beaten Barcelona in their five meetings in European competition (L3 D2), including Barca's victory over them earlier in this season’s Champions League (3-2).
Dortmund are unbeaten in the Champions League since Nico Kovac took over
However, they’ve only gone six consecutive European matches without beating an opponent against two other sides (6 v Real Madrid in 2024, along with 7 v Rangers in 1999).
In the UCL since Kovac took over back in early February, Dortmund have performed well, winning away at both Sporting and Lille. Domestically, their form has been a bit hit and miss though, with wins over the likes of Union Berlin, Mainz and St. Pauli sat alongside poor and unexpected losses to Augsburg and Bochum.
Whatever the formula that Kovac is using in the Champions League - where they're actually unbeaten since he took over - it needs to manifest itself at the Estadio Lluis Companys on Wednesday.
A poor 1-1 draw for Barca at home to Betis at the weekend will have handed the visitors a blueprint to at least get some sort of result in Catalonia and hopefully finish the job back on home soil.
On the opposing bench, Hansi Flick will undoubtedly want to continue his 100% record against Dortmund, having won all six whilst manager of Bayern Munich and Barcelona; his best record against any opponent.
His sides have also scored at least three goals in five of the six matches and Flick certainly enjoys the Champions League in general too.
Of those managers that have taken charge of 10+ games in the competition, his Barca have the highest goals per game average in the competition’s history (3.2 – 32 goals in 10 matches).
In fact, the only other side to average 3+ goals per match under a specific manager was Bayern Munich - under Hansi Flick - (3.17 – 57 goals in 18).
The German coach might worry that some of Barcelona's attacking stars have begun to look tired in recent games, though one fact that can't be denied is that Raphinha has been directly involved in 16 goals in 10 appearances in the Champions League this season (11 goals, five assists).
To give those figures some context, only Lionel Messi in 2011/12 has had a hand in more in a single edition of the competition for Barcelona (19 – 14 goals, five assists).
Lamine Yamal also became the youngest player ever to score and assist in a Champions League match (17y 241d) when he did so against Benfica last time out, and only Milan's Rafael Leao (39) has completed more dribbles than the teenager (33) in the competition this season.
Therefore Dortmund need keeper, Gregor Kobel, to come up trumps.
In last season's Champions League he was the top-ranked goalkeeper for goals prevented (+6.9 – nine conceded from 15.9 xG on target), however, in 24/25 he ranks 23rd out of the 40 goalkeepers with 300+ minutes played (+0.4 – 14 conceded from 14.4 xG on target).
Spanish opponents also appear to be a particular problem for Dortmund who have only won three of their 20 away matches against LaLiga sides in European competition (D5 L12).
It gets worse in the knockout stages as they’ve won just one of the 10 matches played (D2 L7): 3-2 v Sevilla in the last 16 of the Champions League in February 2021.
Barcelona's Achilles heel will see Dortmund have chances
In reality, the Germans need to rely on their own qualities rather than allowing the weight of history to fall heavily upon their shoulders.
Barca can at least be pinned back if opponents are willing to fight fire with fire and play on the front foot throughout.
It would mean Dortmund being brave and trusting their instincts just as some teams have already done against the Catalans in the various competitions this season, thus ensuring that the Blaugranes' lauded high line then becomes their Achilles heel.
Having their back four so high up the pitch can and does smother opponents and keep them hemmed in, however, that makes Barca vulnerable given how far forward they'll want to play during the first 90 minutes of this two-legged tie.
If Dortmund want to give themselves the best chance of a semi-final berth then taking the game by the scruff of the neck and frustrating the Catalans has to be the order of the day.
A tall order it may seem, but as long as their forwards time their runs correctly, Barca can be exposed time and time again.
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