According to reports, Barcelona had not been among Europe’s top four teams since 2019, and this achievement should be celebrated wholeheartedly. However, until the 60th minute, this was not the Barcelona of Hans-Dieter Flick. Before that, the team showed its worst performance of the season—a mix of nervousness and player inaccuracies.

Gerard Martín performed well, which is great news considering Baldé’s injury, but Jules Koundé and Raphinha did not have a good day. The rest of the players, except for Ter Stegen, were far below their usual level.

This caused unnecessary suffering for Barcelona. The team waited too long to control the game when they should have faced Dortmund with more composure. But that’s how the Champions League is, and Flick’s students learned a lesson in humility that should become a valuable experience. At this stage, every mistake comes at a heavy cost, and it would have been a shame for Barça to be eliminated due to a momentary lapse.

No one doubts that Flick will react, but the players themselves must review the match and learn from it. Just when everything seemed under control, Barcelona slipped again, and Dortmund’s third goal revived hopes of an unlikely comeback, to the point where some players felt fear once more.

Now that this fear is behind them, they should enjoy the brilliant season the team has had and prepare for tonight’s match against Real Madrid. Some Barça fans wish for Arteta’s Arsenal to eliminate Real Madrid, while others dream of a rematch with Real in the Champions League final. For now, calm and composure are needed, and Barcelona and its fans must savor this success.

Source: Sport