Failing a collapse at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Hansi Flick has Barcelona on track for the Champions League semi-finals and a return to the European elite after a rocky decade in Catalonia.

A semi-final placing, where Barcelona would likely be favourites to make the final, would represent the high-water mark so far for the Catalan giants in the post-Lionel Messi era.

Since winning it all in Berlin in 2015, Barcelona have only once made it back to the semi-finals of the Champions League. That came in 2018-19, although the match-up is one the Catalans would rather forget. They became a footnote in the story of an incredible comeback from title-bound Liverpool, letting a 3-0 first-leg win slip in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

This season however, with Messi's heir apparent Lamine Yamal firing alongside Raphina and veteran Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona look back to their best, particularly against top opposition.

Besides Wednesday's 4-0 win over Dortmund, last season's Champions League finalists, Barcelona's 4-1 win over Bayern in the group stages showed how ruthless Flick's side can be.

In two clashes with Real this season, Barcelona won 4-0 and 5-2.

Along with showing there is life after Messi at Barcelona, this season has been one of vindication for Flick.

Winning this season's Champions League final, at Munich's Allianz Arena no less, would show the 60-year-old truly belongs among the elite.

On Saturday, a beaming Flick told reporters: "We've come this far, but we want to continue on this path.

"I'm absolutely enjoying being able to work with my coaching staff and this team. We've got an incredible atmosphere in the side."