Has the wordplay with Marbella and wonder been made?: the hot notes from Benfica-Barça

BarcelonaBarça's epic victory in Lisbon, in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. With 10 players and suffering until the end. Here are some hot notes.

The envy of Europe. Raphinha will be in the photos because he decided that his 25th goal this season would be almost as decisive as the previous 24. The commentators will also praise Szczesny because he kept the team going with brilliant saves in a stadium where not long ago he conceded four goals. But it is impossible to explain this Barça, which is aspiring to everything, without Pedri, who has gone from being compared to a Kings League player to becoming the best midfielder in the world. He dominates games like the best Xavi and rubs the lamp near the area like the most in-tune Iniesta. Europe is at his feet.

Anything but reckless. Since risk is not infallible, there are times when it can demand such a high level that you come out fleeced. This is what happened to Cubarsí during a Pavlidis attack. The Greek striker who disguised himself as Ronaldo (not Cristiano, but the good one) to stand alone against Szczesny and forced the player from Estanyol to go to the ground to avoid the 1-0. What was the kid going to do if he was educated in daring and mastered the art of tackle? Nothing to complain about, Pablo. You will continue to be the best young centre-back in Europe. The worst thing of all is missing you for the return leg.

Pragmatism and grimaces. Lamine Yamal will play in the second round of the tie, having been substituted in Lisbon because Barça, with 10 players, were being sewn up by their rivals. The Rocafonda native disapproved of Flick's decision, which also sacrificed Olmo to keep Lewandowski and to bet on direct play to minimise the numerical disadvantage. The good thing about the sequence is that no one will criticise the German for his pragmatism. The not so good thing is that Lamine Yamal must learn that the first priority in football is the collective good. Enough with the grimaces, now.

Smokers who are decisive. It's easier to peel the plastic off a CD than to find a single player that Flick isn't getting the most out of. Even De Jong, who half of Barcelona fans want to put a bow on, looks more than ever like the exuberant player he was at Ajax. But watch out for Szczesny. It should be noted that this Pole, who has come back from everything, is playing in the Champions League when a few months ago he was sunbathing in Marbella. In Lisbon, on top of that, he made four miraculous saves that Barcelona fans will remember, especially if there are titles at the end of the season. Like the goals by Mathieu, another smoker, in the 2014-15 season. Do you remember?