You can breathe again. Barcelona stood tall against Atletico Madrid, suffering until the end, allowing their historic season to continue.
It’s Barcelona versus Real Madrid. Mano a mano, across all four competitions.
The Blaugrana took the first trophy in the Spanish Supercopa, and are booked for a head to head in Seville for the King’s Cup. La Liga is also coming down to the two sides, with what looks to be a decisive game in the league between the rivals on May 11th. Finally, in the Champions League, the two Spanish giants are the favorites on their respective sides of the bracket.
If you’re Hansi Flick, you have to love what you’re seeing from your team. The Barcelona of the past was hot or cold. Either they dominated, or they capitulated.
Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - Copa del Rey Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images
This Barcelona team, however, are mentality monsters.
Against Atleti, we saw a team that was tactically out matched in the second half, but they had the self-awareness to hunker in, and see out the result. Sometimes winning ugly is the only option, and you have to take it.
Barcelona’s forwards were not at their best in this one. Raphinha had perhaps his most ineffective game of the season, looking rusty after two games off. Lamine Yamal, frankly, looked exhausted. He needs a break on Sunday against Real Betis.
But the defensive line was there to rescue the day putting in a focused, tough, and error free performance. A lot of those guys could use a rest too, especially Jules Kounde.
Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - Copa del Rey Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images
It’s times like these when it’s easy to see why Hansi Flick chose Wojciech Szczęsny. That man manifests a cool confidence that must feel contagious for the players in front of him. Atleti didn’t totally test him on Wednesday, but he kept his team organized, and gives you the sense that he’s more than ready for the pressure packed games down the stretch of the season.
Barcelona received an important lesson in this Copa del Rey knockout game that could pay dividends in the Champions League. Even when you think you’re playing well, momentum can change in the blink of an eye, and you have to be ready to adapt in the moment.
Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - Copa del Rey Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Atleti were desperate, and they were willing to play ugly, harassing the referee at every turn. For a while, I was having Getafe flashbacks.
Luckily, Barcelona kept their cool, as they have all season long.
You might have been yelling at Hansi Flick to make changes when things weren’t going his team’s way, but he also remained calm, and let his players figure things out on the field.
It really is the formula of champions.
Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - Copa del Rey Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Talent, tactics, and will power. Depending on the moment, you may have to rely on one over the others. And that’s what Barcelona does game after game. Their success is not an accident, no luck is required.
And now, a date with destiny.
Real Madrid is the last big obstacle in their way as Barcelona looks to make history.
You wouldn’t have it any other way.