Barcelona starlets to learn from Atletico Madrid Champions League defeat

Barcelona’s dream of Champions League glory was dashed for a second successive season, but once again they will hope the bitter experience can cause their burgeoning young talent to deliver next term. This faith in the youth brigade – spearheaded by teenager Lamine Yamal – is what they are left clinging to following Tuesday’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. It is a case of deja vu after last season’s defeat by Inter Milan in the semifinals.

When something like that happens, players [must] make the next step. We have a young team, and they will improve. Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski is out of contract in the summer, when he turns 38, while Barca have yet to decide if they will pay Manchester United to keep on-loan winger Marcus Rashford permanently.

Neither started in the Spanish capital, along with the injured Raphinha, who was unable to play in either leg. Injuries have plagued the 29-year-old this season, raising concerns that Barca may have seen the best of him last year. Ferran Torres, Ronald Araujo and on-loan defender Joao Cancelo’s futures are also uncertain beyond the summer.

Although Barca’s financial situation is no longer as worrying as it once was, the club cannot spend big on superstar reinforcements. Despite their elimination last season, Barca swept the domestic treble, and a wave of optimism carried the club into the summer. Flick is looking for a similar reaction in La Liga.

A repeat of the domestic sweep has been denied to them, as they exited the Copa del Rey at the hands of Atletico Madrid. While they will have to bide their time for a sixth Champions League crown, their first since 2015, retaining the league title looks a given as they are nine points clear of Real Madrid. One area which Flick has been unable to improve on, despite making it a priority after the Inter loss, is defence.

Replacing veteran defender Inigo Martinez has proved problematic, to say the least. In the first leg, youngster Pau Cubarsi, who benefitted from his former teammate’s experience, was sent off for bringing down Giuliano Simeone when he was through on goal. In the second leg, Eric Garcia was dismissed for a similar foul on Alexander Sorloth.