Barcelona’s defeat within the Champions League quarter-finals means their struggling goes on in a contest they haven’t received since 2015.
Luis Enrique was in cost when Barca final claimed the trophy, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar up entrance in a treble-winning workforce. Last season, they reached the semi-finals — and progressing additional was the large purpose this marketing campaign.
Instead, Hansi Flick’s aspect have been once more knocked out by Atletico Madrid, who additionally defeated them within the Copa del Rey.
It leaves Barca with simply La Liga to play for. They are 9 factors away from Real Madrid with seven matches to play, together with a house Clasico on May 10 when the championship could be wrapped up.
So, what can we count on to occur? Does this setback harm Flick’s place? What about plans for recruitment? And why precisely have they fallen quick?
The Athletic’s Barcelona correspondents Pol Ballus and Laia Cervello Herrero focus on.
How huge a deal is defeat for Barcelona?
Pol: The Champions League was the good dream of this Barca squad. To proceed progressing, it was the step they wanted to take — however they haven’t managed it.
In that sense, it’s painful. But on the similar time, Barca have competed nicely in different competitions. They look set to defend their Spanish league title. They misplaced within the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey towards Atletico — however got here very near achieving a remarkable comeback after disaster in the first leg at the Metropolitano.
The trauma with this competitors continues for a short time longer. But Flick’s workforce have causes to be proud.
Barcelona gamers have been bereft as Atletico celebrated their victory (Thomas COEX / AFP through Getty Images)
Laia: I don’t suppose failing to win the Champions League is a significant setback for the mission, as a result of for the primary time in a protracted whereas, I can sense the membership and followers are actually excited concerning the future.
In earlier seasons, underneath Ronald Koeman or Xavi, failures like this could actually shake the foundations. But there’s a sense it’s not now or by no means. The workforce can nonetheless make it next season. This has not come right down to a scarcity of expertise, however reasonably the workforce’s youth and issues with squad depth throughout a season marked by gathered fatigue and quite a few accidents.
Does it change something for Flick or Barca’s planning?
Laia: When Flick arrived as Xavi’s substitute in May 2024, everybody accepted that it was a mission the place the foundations have been being laid. But he delivered outcomes immediately.
Without important funding, they managed to win a home treble and look prone to defend La Liga this time period. We’re speaking about teenage gamers from the academy towards a Real Madrid who two years in the past signed Kylian Mbappe.
The purpose was the Champions League, however there will probably be endurance with Flick. It’s nonetheless hoped that delivering their first European title since 2015 will probably be one in every of his legacies.
Pol: After final 12 months’s success, Flick signed a two-year contract extension till June 2027. Barca president Joan Laporta has already publicly mentioned he desires Flick to increase once more, and no person could be stunned by that. The German 61-year-old mentioned in March that the Barca job will be his final one in management, and he is very happy at the club.
Hansi Flick prolonged his Barcelona contract till June 2027 (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The Champions League may be very a lot about particular moments too, past simply the way you play. In this tie, Barca have suffered in crucial moments — there was Pau Cubarsi’s pink card and the potential handball by Marc Pubill not being given as a penalty.
Recruitment plans have been clear earlier than the Atletico tie. In the switch market, the priorities will probably be a striker and a centre-back. What may change is a brand new want so as to add extra expertise to a really younger squad.
Why have they fallen quick?
Pol: Atletico Madrid had luck on their aspect within the first leg, and they capitalised on the state of affairs. Significant absences, corresponding to Raphinha up entrance, proved damaging for Barca.
Latent issues within the squad have additionally come to the floor on this ultimate stretch of the season, particularly in assault. Neither Robert Lewandowski nor Ferran Torres are absolutely match and they haven’t been for months. Lamine Yamal has been remoted with out correct help in assault.
Defender Eric Garcia has stuffed in as a midfielder and Pedri remains to be getting again to his greatest after harm. In defence, they’ve ended up with Gerard Martin taking part in at centre-back.
Laia: Physical fatigue needs to be one of many foremost points. In the primary leg final Wednesday, it was a bit like Yamal towards the world, and the 18-year-old is probably the one one reaching his prime at this stage of the season. The relaxation have been hampered by accidents or health points. That has led to fewer rotations and Barcelona’s beginning XI turning into very worn out.
Barcelona may have top-of-the-line beginning line-ups in Europe, however they don’t have top-of-the-line squads on the continent. And you want that to win the Champions League.
Where ought to they go from right here?
Pol: Last season ought to serve for instance. After Barca have been knocked out of the Champions League, losing 4-3 to Inter in the second leg of their semi-final, they performed Real Madrid at dwelling of their next sport and put in an ideal efficiency to win 4-3 and primarily settle La Liga.
Barca should purpose for the identical, as a result of they nonetheless have nice issues to combat for — together with a house Clasico towards Madrid on May 10. Depending on outcomes, that might even be the day they win the title. Never within the membership’s historical past have they sealed the league straight by beating their arch rivals.
It would make this season distinctive, and it needs to be a cause for the squad to maintain combating.
Laia: This season hasn’t been simple, however the second time period of a significant mission hardly ever is. Barca have been coming off the again of a home treble and getting so near a Champions League ultimate. It was a brand new expertise for most of the gamers, and that’s tough to handle. They’ve finished very nicely this time period, given what may have occurred.
They’re prone to retain La Liga, and that they had the Camp Nou on its ft within the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final towards Atletico, after they performed top-of-the-line matches of the season however have been nonetheless knocked out. This season may nonetheless be distinctive, with a Clasico occasion, and that’s what they should maintain on to. It can be a part of the maturing of a mission that also seems to be very promising.
