Boss Niko Kovac admitted Dortmund would need a ‘miracle’ if they were to overturn the 4-0 deficit. Only Barca had ever achieved that outcome in the Champions League with their epic comeback success against Paris St-Germain in 2017, winning the second leg 6-1 after a four-goal loss in Paris.

But after a frenzied start and a bold penalty finish from Guirassy after Szczesny clattered into Gross, there was a sense of belief brimming from the stands at Signal Iduna Park.

Former Brighton midfielder Gross, who missed the first leg through suspension, was a driving force for the hosts and had a goal ruled out five minutes later for offside, while Bensebaini and the lively Karim Adeyemi forced Szczesny into two fine saves before the break.

As they continued to unsettle Barca at the start of the second period, a miraculous result was within reach when Guirassy headed in from close range after Bensebaini had nodded a deep corner back into the box.

But the Algeria defender was left with his head in his hands when his attempt to clear Fermin Lopez’s delivery slammed into the back of his own net.

It was a crucial moment in the tie with Dortmund, ultimately, left with too much to do in the remaining 36 minutes, despite Guirassy adding a third to take his tally in the competition to 13 this season.

Kovac will now hope the club’s first win over Barcelona in seven meetings, and keeping their feared frontline of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski off the scoresheet, will spark his side for the remainder of the campaign.

With just five games of the Bundesliga season remaining, Dortmund are eighth – 27 points behind leaders Bayern Munich, but six off the Champions League places.

Having booked their semi-final place, Barcelona remain on course to wrap up a Treble of trophies as they sit four points clear at the top of La Liga and face rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey at the end of this month.