The most convincing Barça of the season shouted with joy. The most convinced Barça caused a party in Montjuïc. The most accurate Barça got into the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The most supportive Barça resurrected its image in Europe after a long time crossing the desert. He gave a good account of Naples with goals from Fermín, Cancelo and Lewandowski and will be in the top eight on the continent this Friday four years later. Barcelona won because of football, because of faith, because of strength, and because of the youth of Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal and Fermín. But also because of the experience of Gündogan who served as director and Sergi Roberto who lifted the team when it was having the worst time. As before, an unknown Raphinha had activated it, so it was so successful.
It was the summit match of the course. It was necessary to perform with audacity, determination, deployment and waste. From the beginning. Without truce. No trial. No wait. The Olímpic had to be turned into the warmest stadium possible. That it resembled the Camp Nou as much as possible. The public did its part by selling out the tickets and the team responded with a succulent, effervescent, feverish and wonderful staging.
Xavi had arranged the continental debut of the architect Cubarsí and had also opted for Raphinha to strike on the left. The Brazilian’s will is better than João Félix’s posturing. Although for legs and I wish for Fermín’s. The youth player entered the game like a miracle. Crutch that they taught him, crutch that he resorted to. With blind faith. With commendable enthusiasm.
It was a day to believe and not be afraid and Fermín was not. It is not surprising that he opened the scoring because before that he had shot wide on two occasions. Unavailable to discouragement with and without the ball, Fermín scored by converting a cross from the left by Raphinha. Although half a goal must be given to Lewandowski who, with a brilliant movement, let the ball pass for the midfielder to finish off the mark.
A quarter of an hour of passion and pressure and Montjuïc exploded. His team was already winning and did so with enjoyment and excitement.
Riding on the wave of 1-0, Barça created the second. Lamine Yamal accelerated and led a counterattack in which he teamed up with Raphinha. The Brazilian, more in tune than ever, cut back and hit a shot with his right foot that hit the post. Cancelo caught the rebound to extend the advantage of a Barcelona team that was finally dazzling after so many performances in the dark. Less than 20 minutes and Xavi’s team was approaching the quarterfinals by leaps and bounds.
Of course there was a lot left, Barça was spending an unusual amount of energy and Naples had a lot to say.
Calzona’s team grew, with patience, and began to amass more of the ball. That sleepiness stunned Barcelona and Politano crossed from the right into the heart of the area for the center back Rrhamani to close the gap in a surprising way. Now the wave was Neapolitan and a header from Di Lorenzo forced Ter Stegen to make an impressive flight.
The game had taken a turn but Barça tried not to lose their temper and at least not suffer any more damage until the intermission because the pace was very high.
Some high pulse rates that Napoli maintained during the restart. A shot from Kvaratskhelia that skimmed the post gave Barcelona the scare again. Xavi’s men bailed out water and Cubarsi, huge, Koundé, solid, and Araújo, in a battle with Osimhem, multiplied. Barça needed more lungs like eating and Xavi turned to Sergi Roberto and Oriol Romeu. The captain, who would prove decisive, came out with great poise, applied the pressure and with him the Blaugrana team took a step forward. A saint’s hand for Raphinha, who threatened with a couple of interesting shots, and for Lamine Yamal, who bordered the goal with a screwball shot.
Barça had moved back into the opposite field, the best way to protect the result, with Gündogan giving the break. However, in an isolated action Lindström had the tie. With everything in his favor he headed out. In this situation, the Barcelona team did not tremble again and an excellent combination between Gündogan and Sergi Roberto ended with the Reus player assisting Lewandowski. The Pole scored at will, sealed the tie, made Montjuïc explode with joy and caused a gathering of Blaugrana players.
Barcelona fans finally had reasons to celebrate, the club’s coffers are relieved and the team awaits a rival. A round night. The draw, this Friday.