With Marcus Rashford, Raphinha and Pedri all lacking for Barcelona, Hansi Flick was in need of high quality choices earlier than a ball was kicked on the Metropolitano.
To not point out the Rojiblancos had gained 9 of their final 12 matches held on a Thursday.
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Nevertheless, Flick and his squad might have taken coronary heart in the truth that Atleti had solely gained 4 of the ten video games performed in all competitions throughout 2026 (D3, L3).
Additional, Barca’s nice current run had seen them win eight of their final 9 away video games, and 11 wins from their final 12 Copa del Rey away video games was a strong file to convey into this primary leg.
Eight wins within the final 10 head-to-heads with Diego Simeone’s facet and no losses of their final eight Copa del Rey ties in opposition to them (W6, D2), additionally bode effectively for the Catalans.
Let’s check out three speaking factors from the sport…
Full lack of depth is unforgivable
Not each recreation goes to go your approach, that’s clear. Even the perfect groups in historical past didn’t win on a regular basis.
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Nevertheless, the very least that’s anticipated when that’s the case is that gamers put their our bodies on the road for the trigger.
That each final drop of effort is given in order that if, finally, the sport continues to be misplaced, the group can maintain their heads excessive and concede that they had been overwhelmed by the higher group.
Within the first half on the Metropolitano, there was just one group in it.
Atleti had been first to each ball, and to most second balls, had been extra incisive of their attacking and passing, and supremely intense in each problem.
Balde has a nightmare
Let’s acknowledge to start with that collectively, Barcelona had been garbage. Now that’s out of the best way, let’s drill down into the element only a bit extra.
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