Jules Koundé said on a post in his instagram account “a very exciting week is coming”, just after winning the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. Oh, and how right he was.
Yesterday, in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, FC Barcelona faced Inter Milan at Montjuïc and gave us a match to remember. The match that ended up with a draw of 3-3 was far from perfect, but it was full of emotions, exactly what a semi-final should feel like. It was a night that made every Culer remember why we still believe, and why we never stop dreaming.
Barcelona played with heart against Inter Milan
Montjuïc lit up with energy. Scarves were in the air, a poster with a message in Catalan that read "a mission, the final" was displayed big on the bleachers, and the nonstop chants carried the illusion of all culers who are dreaming of the 6th one. Barça wasn’t just playing for a result. They were not just playing for a spot in Munich. They were playing for something bigger.
The start of the match was a really hard one. Flick’s team conceded a goal seconds before the scoreboard marked the first minute of the match. It was a bucket of cold water, on the fans, and specially on the players, that saw it as a wake-up call.
After several near-misses by Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo, and Pedri’s tireless fight for the control of the midfield, Barcelona was on the ropes. Soon, the scoreboard was 0-2, in favour of Inter that was clearly dominating the game at that stage. Culer’s chants were silenced by Inter fans' chants that grew louder and louder, drowning the optimism of the catalan supporters.
And then Lamine Yamal happened. The 17-year-old took the matter into his own hands. He completely changed the mood of the match with an impressive and insane individual play that ended up with the ball in the back of the net.
The chants by Inter fans were soon replaced by Lamine Yamal’s name. His performance yesterday was extraordinary. It was also a statement that his team has the calm and talent to rise above all the pressure, no matter how disappointing the situation may look. And he did not stop there. After that goal, he continued to press, and continued looking for the second goal to have a remontada.
Ferran Torres, often the subject of criticism, showed his worth when he scored the equalizer. His calm finish gave Barcelona the belief they needed. Barcelona was answering faster this time, demonstrated when Inter scored the third goal, and just two minutes after, in the 65’ the game was equalized again, this time by Raphinha. At that point of the game, Montjuïc was euphoric.
The final whistle came with the score at 3-3, a result that wasn’t what FC Barcelona had hoped for, but one that showcased their resilience. With a passionate crowd behind them and players like Yamal, Torres, and Raphinha stepping up when needed, the dream of a Champions League final is more alive than ever.
The second leg in Milan will be tough, but FC Barcelona has shown they’re ready to battle until the very end. Meanwhile, we culers, continue dreaming.