Latest news with #post-LionelMessi
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Young Barca earn respect but crave trophies after heartbreak
HANSI Flick's brilliant young Barcelona side won hearts in this season's Champions League and re-established themselves at Europe's top table, but fell agonisingly short of reaching the Munich final after one of the competition's greatest semi-finals. Dusting themselves down from their painful elimination at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday, Barca will take pride in knowing the club are closer than ever to ending their decade-long drought in the continent's premier competition. Barcelona lost 4-3 in extra-time in Milan, with the Italians progressing 7-6 on aggregate after a thrilling rollercoaster of a match in which they threw away a 2-0 lead. For the first time since 2019 the Catalans made the final four, but they were dreaming of more -- a first Champions League trophy since 2015 and a potential quadruple. 'The players deserve respect, but we are playing to win trophies,' said Flick, not content with merely restoring Barcelona's status among the elite. With the wizardry of Lamine Yamal, the goals of Raphinha and brains of Pedri, pulling strings in midfield, Barcelona have enough to end their wait for the trophy in the post-Lionel Messi era. An inspired Yann Sommer, a shaky Barca defence missing injured regulars Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, and Inter's experience ensured they did not. 'Of course (something special) has started, but we're not at the end -- we had a really huge defeat now,' said Flick. 'We're not satisfied about that but it's normal. We have to stand up, this is the message I want to give. 'We have to fight until the end of the season -- and for next season.' Barcelona were two minutes away from booking their flights to Munich, leading 3-2 on the night at the San Siro in the pouring rain, but Francesco Acerbi's 93rd minute strike forced extra-time before Davide Frattesi won it for the hosts. Arguably the best player in both legs of the tie was 17-year-old Spain star Yamal, but he showed his inexperience in stoppage time before Acerbi struck. Rampaging down the right, yet again, Yamal crashed a shot against the post when he might have headed for the corner flag. In the first-half 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, another graduate of Barcelona's La Masia academy, conceded a penalty with a risky challenge on Lautaro Martinez. 'We have a young team and we will improve of course,' Flick told reporters. 'This is our job, to make this team better and better.' 'Beyond expectations' Despite the mistakes they made, Barca's elimination was a far cry from the humiliations they have suffered in recent years -- against Roma, Liverpool and Bayern most notably between 2018-2020, or dropping into the Europa League after that. 'We've given everything, this year it wasn't to be, but we'll be back, don't have any doubt,' Yamal wrote on Instagram. 'We won't stop until we leave this club where it deserves, on the highest rung. 'I will fulfil my promise and bring (the Champions League) to Barcelona, we won't stop until we get it.' Flick's side must pick themselves up quickly because on Sunday they face arch-rivals Real Madrid in a clash which could go a long way to deciding the fate of La Liga. The Catalans lead the reigning champions by four points with four matches remaining and want to add the league title to their Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup triumphs. Real Madrid are fresh after their win over Celta last Sunday, while Barca played 120 draining minutes against Inter and leave Italy with their hearts broken. 'I think the team today, when they look in the mirror, when they arrive at home at three or four o'clock in the night, or in the morning, I think then they can be very proud,' said Flick. '(This defeat) must wake up the hunger to win the title, this is important for me.' Barcelona's players did their best to put on a brave face. 'We've gone beyond expectations, we're Barca, there are no transition years, we have to win all the trophies we can,' Eric Garcia told Movistar. 'Today we couldn't do it, but the team comes out strengthened.' Madrid's impending visit to the Olympic Stadium will be a quick test of that.
Int'l Business Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Business Times
Young Barca Earn Respect But Crave Trophies After Inter Heartbreak
Hansi Flick's brilliant young Barcelona side won hearts in this season's Champions League and re-established themselves at Europe's top table, but fell agonisingly short of reaching the Munich final after one of the competition's greatest semi-finals. Dusting themselves down from their painful elimination at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday, Barca will take pride in knowing the club are closer than ever to ending their decade-long drought in the continent's premier competition. Barcelona lost 4-3 in extra-time in Milan, with the Italians progressing 7-6 on aggregate after a thrilling rollercoaster of a match in which they threw away a 2-0 lead. For the first time since 2019 the Catalans made the final four, but they were dreaming of more -- a first Champions League trophy since 2015 and a potential quadruple. "The players deserve respect, but we are playing to win trophies," said Flick, not content with merely restoring Barcelona's status among the elite. With the wizardry of Lamine Yamal, the goals of Raphinha and brains of Pedri, pulling strings in midfield, Barcelona have enough to end their wait for the trophy in the post-Lionel Messi era. An inspired Yann Sommer, a shaky Barca defence missing injured regulars Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, and Inter's experience ensured they did not. "Of course (something special) has started, but we're not at the end -- we had a really huge defeat now," said Flick. "We're not satisfied about that but it's normal. We have to stand up, this is the message I want to give. "We have to fight until the end of the season -- and for next season." Barcelona were two minutes away from booking their flights to Munich, leading 3-2 on the night at the San Siro in the pouring rain, but Francesco Acerbi's 93rd minute strike forced extra-time before Davide Frattesi won it for the hosts. Arguably the best player in both legs of the tie was 17-year-old Spain star Yamal, but he showed his inexperience in stoppage time before Acerbi struck. Rampaging down the right, yet again, Yamal crashed a shot against the post when he might have headed for the corner flag. In the first-half 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, another graduate of Barcelona's La Masia academy, conceded a penalty with a risky challenge on Lautaro Martinez. "We have a young team and we will improve of course," Flick told reporters. "This is our job, to make this team better and better." Despite the mistakes they made, Barca's elimination was a far cry from the humiliations they have suffered in recent years -- against Roma, Liverpool and Bayern most notably between 2018-2020, or dropping into the Europa League after that. "We've given everything, this year it wasn't to be, but we'll be back, don't have any doubt," Yamal wrote on Instagram. "We won't stop until we leave this club where it deserves, on the highest rung. "I will fulfil my promise and bring (the Champions League) to Barcelona, we won't stop until we get it." Flick's side must pick themselves up quickly because on Sunday they face arch-rivals Real Madrid in a clash which could go a long way to deciding the fate of La Liga. The Catalans lead the reigning champions by four points with four matches remaining and want to add the league title to their Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup triumphs. Real Madrid are fresh after their win over Celta last Sunday, while Barca played 120 draining minutes against Inter and leave Italy with their hearts broken. "I think the team today, when they look in the mirror, when they arrive at home at three or four o'clock in the night, or in the morning, I think then they can be very proud," said Flick. "(This defeat) must wake up the hunger to win the title, this is important for me." Barcelona's players did their best to put on a brave face. "We've gone beyond expectations, we're Barca, there are no transition years, we have to win all the trophies we can," Eric Garcia told Movistar. "Today we couldn't do it, but the team comes out strengthened." Madrid's impending visit to the Olympic Stadium will be a quick test of that.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Young Barca earn respect but crave trophies after Inter heartbreak
Barcelona's Spanish forward Lamine Yamal was a thorn in Inter Milan's side all night at the San Siro (Marco BERTORELLO) Hansi Flick's brilliant young Barcelona side won hearts in this season's Champions League and re-established themselves at Europe's top table, but fell agonisingly short of reaching the Munich final after one of the competition's greatest semi-finals. Dusting themselves down from their painful elimination at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday, Barca will take pride in knowing the club are closer than ever to ending their decade-long drought in the continent's premier competition. Advertisement Barcelona lost 4-3 in extra-time in Milan, with the Italians progressing 7-6 on aggregate after a thrilling rollercoaster of a match in which they threw away a 2-0 lead. For the first time since 2019 the Catalans made the final four, but they were dreaming of more -- a first Champions League trophy since 2015 and a potential quadruple. "The players deserve respect, but we are playing to win trophies," said Flick, not content with merely restoring Barcelona's status among the elite. With the wizardry of Lamine Yamal, the goals of Raphinha and brains of Pedri, pulling strings in midfield, Barcelona have enough to end their wait for the trophy in the post-Lionel Messi era. Advertisement An inspired Yann Sommer, a shaky Barca defence missing injured regulars Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, and Inter's experience ensured they did not. "Of course (something special) has started, but we're not at the end -- we had a really huge defeat now," said Flick. "We're not satisfied about that but it's normal. We have to stand up, this is the message I want to give. "We have to fight until the end of the season -- and for next season." Barcelona were two minutes away from booking their flights to Munich, leading 3-2 on the night at the San Siro in the pouring rain, but Francesco Acerbi's 93rd minute strike forced extra-time before Davide Frattesi won it for the hosts. Advertisement Arguably the best player in both legs of the tie was 17-year-old Spain star Yamal, but he showed his inexperience in stoppage time before Acerbi struck. Rampaging down the right, yet again, Yamal crashed a shot against the post when he might have headed for the corner flag. In the first-half 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, another graduate of Barcelona's La Masia academy, conceded a penalty with a risky challenge on Lautaro Martinez. "We have a young team and we will improve of course," Flick told reporters. "This is our job, to make this team better and better." - 'Beyond expectations' - Advertisement Despite the mistakes they made, Barca's elimination was a far cry from the humiliations they have suffered in recent years -- against Roma, Liverpool and Bayern most notably between 2018-2020, or dropping into the Europa League after that. "We've given everything, this year it wasn't to be, but we'll be back, don't have any doubt," Yamal wrote on Instagram. "We won't stop until we leave this club where it deserves, on the highest rung. "I will fulfil my promise and bring (the Champions League) to Barcelona, we won't stop until we get it." Flick's side must pick themselves up quickly because on Sunday they face arch-rivals Real Madrid in a clash which could go a long way to deciding the fate of La Liga. Advertisement The Catalans lead the reigning champions by four points with four matches remaining and want to add the league title to their Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup triumphs. Real Madrid are fresh after their win over Celta last Sunday, while Barca played 120 draining minutes against Inter and leave Italy with their hearts broken. "I think the team today, when they look in the mirror, when they arrive at home at three or four o'clock in the night, or in the morning, I think then they can be very proud," said Flick. "(This defeat) must wake up the hunger to win the title, this is important for me." Advertisement Barcelona's players did their best to put on a brave face. "We've gone beyond expectations, we're Barca, there are no transition years, we have to win all the trophies we can," Eric Garcia told Movistar. "Today we couldn't do it, but the team comes out strengthened." Madrid's impending visit to the Olympic Stadium will be a quick test of that. rbs/gj
France 24
07-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Young Barca earn respect but crave trophies after Inter heartbreak
Dusting themselves down from their painful elimination at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday, Barca will take pride in knowing the club are closer than ever to ending their decade-long drought in the continent's premier competition. Barcelona lost 4-3 in extra-time in Milan, with the Italians progressing 7-6 on aggregate after a thrilling rollercoaster of a match in which they threw away a 2-0 lead. For the first time since 2019 the Catalans made the final four, but they were dreaming of more -- a first Champions League trophy since 2015 and a potential quadruple. "The players deserve respect, but we are playing to win trophies," said Flick, not content with merely restoring Barcelona's status among the elite. With the wizardry of Lamine Yamal, the goals of Raphinha and brains of Pedri, pulling strings in midfield, Barcelona have enough to end their wait for the trophy in the post-Lionel Messi era. An inspired Yann Sommer, a shaky Barca defence missing injured regulars Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, and Inter's experience ensured they did not. "Of course (something special) has started, but we're not at the end -- we had a really huge defeat now," said Flick. "We're not satisfied about that but it's normal. We have to stand up, this is the message I want to give. "We have to fight until the end of the season -- and for next season." Barcelona were two minutes away from booking their flights to Munich, leading 3-2 on the night at the San Siro in the pouring rain, but Francesco Acerbi's 93rd minute strike forced extra-time before Davide Frattesi won it for the hosts. Arguably the best player in both legs of the tie was 17-year-old Spain star Yamal, but he showed his inexperience in stoppage time before Acerbi struck. Rampaging down the right, yet again, Yamal crashed a shot against the post when he might have headed for the corner flag. In the first-half 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, another graduate of Barcelona's La Masia academy, conceded a penalty with a risky challenge on Lautaro Martinez. "We have a young team and we will improve of course," Flick told reporters. "This is our job, to make this team better and better." 'Beyond expectations' Despite the mistakes they made, Barca's elimination was a far cry from the humiliations they have suffered in recent years -- against Roma, Liverpool and Bayern most notably between 2018-2020, or dropping into the Europa League after that. "We've given everything, this year it wasn't to be, but we'll be back, don't have any doubt," Yamal wrote on Instagram. "We won't stop until we leave this club where it deserves, on the highest rung. "I will fulfil my promise and bring (the Champions League) to Barcelona, we won't stop until we get it." Flick's side must pick themselves up quickly because on Sunday they face arch-rivals Real Madrid in a clash which could go a long way to deciding the fate of La Liga. The Catalans lead the reigning champions by four points with four matches remaining and want to add the league title to their Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup triumphs. Real Madrid are fresh after their win over Celta last Sunday, while Barca played 120 draining minutes against Inter and leave Italy with their hearts broken. "I think the team today, when they look in the mirror, when they arrive at home at three or four o'clock in the night, or in the morning, I think then they can be very proud," said Flick. "(This defeat) must wake up the hunger to win the title, this is important for me." Barcelona's players did their best to put on a brave face. "We've gone beyond expectations, we're Barca, there are no transition years, we have to win all the trophies we can," Eric Garcia told Movistar. "Today we couldn't do it, but the team comes out strengthened."
Asharq Al-Awsat
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Madrid Needs Epic Champions League Comeback. Barca and PSG Are Flying Post-Messi and Mbappe
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal hold such commanding leads in their Champions League quarterfinal matches that a place in the last four looks all but certain. Don't be so sure. European club soccer's most prestigious competition has a habit of upsetting the odds. Barcelona and PSG have very recent memories of how quickly things can change. Barcelona was 4-2 up on aggregate against PSG early in the second leg of last year's quarterfinals - only to lose 6-4. In 2017 PSG led 4-0 after the first leg of a round of 16 game between the two in Paris, but famously lost 6-1 at Camp Nou. Part of what makes the Champions League such compelling viewing is the fragility of even the most commanding leads. Liverpool trailed AC Milan 3-0 at halftime of the final of 2005 before staging a dramatic fightback and going on to win in a penalty shootout. The Merseyside club stunned Barcelona on its way to the title in 2019 when overturning a 3-0 loss in the first leg of the semifinals by winning the return leg 4-0. There are many more examples of how the tables can be turned when Europe's elite go head-to-head, which is why nothing can be taken for granted ahead of this week's second leg matches. Real trouble Record 15-time winner and defending champion Real Madrid will have to produce another of its famous comebacks to overturn a 3-0 first leg loss to Arsenal. If anyone can, Madrid can - but it goes into Wednesday's game at the Bernabeu after a run of unconvincing results. Carlo Ancelotti's team has only won one of its last four games in all competitions - Sunday's 1-0 victory against Alaves. The defeat to Arsenal could have been even heavier after being dominated at the Emirates Stadium and came after Madrid needed a penalty shootout to overcome Atletico Madrid in the round of 16. But Madrid's history is built on producing special performances in Europe. Its run to the title in 2022 was filled with dramatic comebacks - none more so than the semifinals win against Manchester City when trailing 5-3 on aggregate going into the 90th minute of the second leg. Madrid simply never knows when it is beaten. Europe's finest? This could be the first great Barcelona team of the post-Lionel Messi era. Top of the Spanish league and on the verge of the Champions League semifinals, Barcelona looks like the team to beat in this year's competition. Leading 4-0 against Borussia Dortmund, it would take the unlikeliest of collapses in Germany on Tuesday to prevent Hansi Flick's team from booking its place in the semifinals. With the devastating goal-scoring power of Robert Lewandowski and the individual brilliance of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, this looks like Barcelona's best team since the days of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez and its best chance in a long time of winning its first Champions League title since 2015. A new era The post-Kylian Mbappe era is going just fine for PSG. A record-extending 13th French league title has already been sealed and there have been standout performances in the Champions League. After struggling early on in the tournament, wins against Manchester City and Liverpool have underlined PSG's progress under Luis Enrique this season, with an exciting young team that is full of flair. While less reliant on the individual brilliance of long-time talisman Mbappe, PSG has been driven by the outstanding form of Ousmane Dembele, who is realizing the potential that convinced Barcelona to pay up to 147 million euros (then $173 million) when signing him from Dortmund in 2017. A run of 24 goals in 18 games between December and March established him as one of the deadliest forwards in Europe. Leading 3-1 against Aston Villa after the first leg of their quarterfinal, PSG looks in control, but has so often failed to live up to expectations in this competition. Dark horse Inter Milan leads Bayern Munich 2-1 in the closest match of the quarterfinals. Davide Frattesi's 88th-minute winner in Munich gave the 2023 finalist the advantage heading into the second leg at the San Siro. Bayern, under Vincent Kompany, cruised to the quarterfinals and looks like regaining the German league title this season. Inter could be the dark horse of this year's competition, having come so close to stopping City's treble of trophies two years ago.
