Out on aggregate
Barcelona’s European run is over in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Catalan side won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tie around. The 0-2 defeat in the first leg left them with too much to do, and that was that for the Blaugrana.
For a while, though, it looked like their game plan was working. After just 25 minutes, they’d wiped out the deficit. Lamine Yamal struck first, Ferran Torres followed, and suddenly the tie was level again at the Metropolitano.
Then came the twist. Around the half-hour mark, Atletico forward Ademola Lookman pounced on a quick break to pull one back. After that, the scoreline didn’t move. French referee Clément Turpin blew for full time. Barcelona, down to 10 men again at the end just like in the first leg, were out.
A verdict built on attitude
Barcelona’s staff kept coming back to the same point: the fight in the team. Coach Hansi Flick praised the first half and the number of chances his side created. The German felt his team had done enough over the two legs to reach the semi-finals on merit. He also admitted there was a brief lapse in defensive discipline for the goal they conceded, but said the overall mentality was right.
Midfielder Frenkie De Jong echoed his manager’s view. The Netherlands international talked about the growing pains of a squad that’s still pretty young by design. He blamed missed chances and the handling of small tactical details for the exit. On the other side, Diego Simeone openly admitted Barcelona were technically very good.
Now it’s all about the league
Barcelona won’t be heading to the European final in Budapest on May 30. A bitter blow, sure — and one that brings back memories of last season’s semi-final exit against Inter Milan.
From here on in, the only target left is La Liga. Barcelona hold a nine-point lead over Real Madrid. Hansi Flick has set the tone in plain terms: wrap up the domestic title as quickly as possible and get the season signed off.
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