Barca's win did little to lift this ex-Arsenal star's mood

By Alessandro Schiavone at Signal Iduna Park

Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona

Goals: Guirassy 2x (D), Torres 2x & Raphinha (B)

Debt-ridden Barcelona are looking like the force of old again after inflicting a first home defeat on Borussia Dortmund since the days of Erik ten Hag’s Ajax.

But there was again no space for tried-and-trusted former Arsenal gloveman Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick sticking with canterano Inaki Peña.

He was one of seven players to come out of La Masia in Barca’s XI yesterday. But Peña didn’t cover himself in glory when he mistimed Yann Couto’s through ball which ex-Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross got first to before he played it to Guirassy to roll into an empty net from outside the box to make it 2-2.

Prior to that ex-Leeds winger Raphina got the beating of Gregor Kobel when he made the most of Dani Olmo’s quick thinking before firing into the far corner to give the visitors the lead.

Before that Guirassy had restored parity from the 12 yards. But super sub Ferran Torres scored either side of the Guinean’s brace to get his name twice on the scoresheet himself with a follow-up and a clinical finish late on after Dani Olmo's telegraphed pass. In doing so the ex-Man City man sent Barca into second place behind Liverpool with their hopes of finishing among the eight best-placed sides and claim an automatic qualification spot boosted. 

But for their understudy goalkeeper it wasn’t what he expected when he picked up friend Robert Lewandowski’s call in the aftermath of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending injury earlier this season.

The club is indebted towards the Pole but that’s a problem for the morning.

Because the return of the great Barcelona is what is setting tongues wagging today.