BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund's European history includes some remarkable comebacks and against-the-odds victories over Spanish teams.
However, neither their 1994 aggregate win over Deportivo La Coruna (3-2), the 2013 drama against Malaga (3-2), nor this year's epic 5-4 victory over Atletico Madrid can equal to the magnitude of the challenge now confronting the struggling 2021 DFB-Pokal winner.
"Advancing to the next round would be the greatest miracle in our club's history," Dortmund CEO and 1997 UEFA Champions League winner Lars Ricken remarked before of the second leg of the quarterfinals versus Barcelona.
Last week's crushing 4-0 setback in Spain left little possibility for a miraculous comeback, but Dortmund remains hopeful that a spirited performance could salvage pride and restart momentum in their Bundesliga quest.
"We will not give out any gifts. "Maybe we score an early goal and see what happens," said sporting director Sebastian Kehl, referring to the club's recent three-game unbeaten streak in Germany's top division.
With passage to the semifinals seeming unlikely for last season's runners-up, Ricken highlighted the team's immediate goal: "We must win the game."
With five matchdays remaining, Dortmund's primary goal is to secure Champions League status for next season.
"It is our ambition to continue our recent run," stated coach Niko Kovac, following Bundesliga triumphs over Mainz and Freiburg, as well as a 2-2 tie in Der Klassiker with Bayern Munich.
While the four-man back line proved ineffectual in Barcelona, a switch to a 3-3-2-2 shape is necessary. The increased steadiness of two defensive wingers could be critical against Barcelona's quick attackers.
Following an emotional team meeting that demanded increased effort, Kovac and the older players agreed to return to the more strong defensive scheme.
While attempting to limit Barcelona in Europe, Dortmund's immediate concern is Saturday's Bundesliga match against Borussia Monchengladbach, a critical test for the 2012 champions' domestic ambitions.
"There are many millions of euros at stake when it comes to qualifying for European competition next season," Ricken remarked, citing the team's strong performance against Bayern.
From the club's standpoint, the draw in Munich demonstrated that they can play on equal terms.
