Barcelona Relives Its Worst UCL Memories – Can They Rewrite the Ending?

Barcelona Relives Its Worst UCL Memories – Can They Rewrite the Ending?

27 days ago | 5 Views

Barcelona has reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years, a period marked by significant turmoil within the club. The departure of Lionel Messi due to financial constraints, the hiring and subsequent dismissal of legendary coach Xavi after two years and seven months, and the limitations imposed by financial fair play regulations have all contributed to a challenging era.

After enduring these setbacks, it appears that Barcelona is on the path to resurgence. With a storied history that includes five UCL titles, the club has faced six tough years characterised by early exits and devastating losses. Many were sceptical that new manager Hansi Flick could effect such a rapid turnaround, yet he has successfully revitalised the Catalan team, positioning them as strong contenders for a potential treble—if they can secure victories in the UCL, La Liga, and Copa del Rey. Currently, they lead La Liga with a four-point advantage over Real Madrid and are set to face them in the Copa del Rey final.

Nevertheless, to solidify their status as a dominant force in European football, Barcelona must clinch the Champions League title. Their last appearance in the semifinals was in 2019, when they were eliminated by Liverpool. Now, they find themselves back in the final four, awaiting the outcome of the Inter Milan versus Bayern Munich match to determine their next opponent.

Barcelona triumphed over Borussia Dortmund with a 5-3 aggregate score in the quarter-finals, advancing to the next stage. However, the away match on Wednesday (IST) evoked unsettling memories from previous encounters. The Spanish powerhouse appeared lacklustre on the field, despite holding a commanding 4-0 lead from the first half. In recent years, Barcelona has often found success in the second leg of UEFA Champions League knockout matches.

When Borussia Dortmund took a 2-0 lead with Serhou Guirassy's goal in the 49th minute at Signal Iduna Park, Barcelona supporters were reminded of past disappointments, such as the losses to Roma in the 2017-18 season and Liverpool in the 2018-19 season. On both occasions, Barcelona squandered substantial first-leg advantages in away matches, leading to their exit from the tournament. Fortunately, an own goal by Ramy Bensebaini, resulting from a cross by Fermin Lopez in the 54th minute, alleviated some anxiety. Guirassy continued his impressive performance by scoring again, completing his hat-trick, while Dortmund pressed on in the 76th minute.

The Barcelona attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal has been in exceptional form this season. However, they experienced a disappointing outing at Signal Iduna Park, where they struggled to find their rhythm. The substantial four-goal cushion allowed them to relax after a demanding week, but any errors from Dortmund could still lead to another distressing exit for Barcelona.

The visitors struggled to maintain control in midfield, particularly with Pedri remaining on the bench for the first 59 minutes. Additionally, coach Flick opted not to risk centre-back Inigo Martinez, who had received a yellow card in the first leg. The absence of Alejandro Balde's dynamic presence at left-back further hindered their ability to connect, as Gerard Martin was unable to advance the ball from the flank effectively.

Yamal not in his elements yet

Yamal, 17, who has been a pivotal player on the right wing, experienced a challenging match as his passes in the attacking third were imprecise. He appeared hurried while delivering crosses and frequently lost possession. Raphinha, a leading candidate for the Ballon d'Or, also struggled to find his scoring touch, which contributed to the team's inability to maintain control of the game, resulting in a 3-1 defeat to Dortmund, although Barcelona still advanced on aggregate.

Looking ahead, facing either Inter or Bayern in the semifinals will present a different challenge, as both clubs are well-versed in succeeding in the UEFA Champions League.

Barcelona's star player, Lewandowski, acknowledged the necessity of improving their performance in the semifinals and finals of the tournament. 

"Today's match requires careful analysis. We must learn from it. We cannot afford to play like this," he stated.

"If we were destined to lose and make mistakes, it is preferable that we do so at this stage. Moving forward, we cannot allow such errors," he emphasised.

Barcelona needs to take lessons from their loss to Dortmund and elevate their performance in both legs of the semifinal, regardless of the opponent, to keep their hopes of winning the UCL alive.

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