Ramy Bensebaïni has been declared fit and will feature for Borussia Dortmund this evening as they face FC Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc.
The Algerian defender’s availability had been in question leading up to the highly anticipated clash, but confirmation of his inclusion comes as a welcome relief for the Bundesliga side.
Dortmund, who have struggled for consistency domestically this season, know they face a monumental task against a Barcelona team enjoying one of their strongest campaigns in years.
Head coach Niko Kovač has stressed the magnitude of the challenge awaiting his squad. Barcelona are unbeaten in 2025 and currently sit atop La Liga, having overtaken Real Madrid in the title race.
Central to their success has been a devastating attacking trio featuring Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and rising sensation Lamine Yamal — a name that has drawn increasing attention across the continent.
Bensebaïni, 29, will play a key role in Dortmund’s attempt to contain this attacking threat. Speaking ahead of the encounter, the Algerian acknowledged the difficulty of facing such dynamic opposition but maintained that with focus and discipline, his side could still make their mark in the tie.
Dortmund will be without defensive mainstay Nico Schlotterbeck due to injury and midfielder Pascal Gross, who is suspended, adding further weight to Bensebaïni’s role in tonight’s contest.
His experience at the highest level and leadership at the back will be vital as the German outfit aim to keep their Champions League hopes alive heading into the second leg.
“We know what we’re up against,” said Kovač. “Barcelona are in fantastic form, and they have players who can change a game in an instant.
But we’ve prepared well, and if we stay compact, defend as a unit, and take our chances when they come, we can make this a real contest.”
That view was echoed by defender Waldemar Anton, who spoke candidly about the unpredictability of the Catalan side.
“You can’t really prepare for every single thing they do,” he said. “Their players are capable of surprising you at any moment. But if we’re united on the pitch, we can find a way to deal with them.”
For Dortmund, the quarter-final marks a crucial opportunity to salvage a season that has fallen short of expectations in the Bundesliga.
While Barcelona enter the tie as clear favourites, BVB’s pedigree in Europe provides hope that they can deliver a performance worthy of the stage.
With the first leg taking place in the intense atmosphere of Montjuïc and the return fixture to come in front of the Yellow Wall in Germany, Dortmund will be aiming to leave the Spanish capital with a result that keeps their semi-final dreams intact.
Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. in Algeria), with all eyes on Bensebaïni and his teammates as they attempt to defy the odds against one of Europe’s most in-form sides.
