Sevilla no longer hurts Barcelona fans: a final that will last for years

Special envoy to SevilleIt was just after four in the morning at the Barceló Renacimiento Hotel in Seville, and Joan Laporta was still partying. Just like old times, he ended up soaked in cava. By then, Hansi Flick had been resting for over an hour, and so had the players, in theory, since they'd been handled in their rooms. The euphoria provoked by Jules Koundé It gave way to a very long night in Seville, with the players' families having a great time alongside the tireless Barça president. Pau Cubarsí's father was one of those who had the best time. If the son is sanity, the father is passion.

The Seville final will last days. Or months. Or years. "I was in Seville against Steaua," says Albert, a lifelong member of the club from Gelida. This Saturday he returned with his son and grandson, somewhat healing the wound he's always carried with him. Those damn penalties against Steaua that still haunt many Barcelona fans at night. "I didn't want penalties, lucky Koundé," added Albert, who joked that the Frenchman had visited Montserrat a few months ago. And the goal came just after midnight, on the day the Moreneta celebrates its millennium.

Hansi Flick now has his first big night of glory. Until now, he had built a wonderful team and excited Barcelona fans, but he was missing a night like this. He already had the victory at the Bernabéu, which few Barcelona fans had seen live, and the Super Cup final, which even fewer had seen in Saudi Arabia—nothing like this final in Seville, which will be remembered for years and years to come. For the victory, for the opponent, and for the number of Barcelona fans present, many with families. Despite the poor behavior of some unsavory individuals in the city center, it was a day of jubilation. "It was impressive to see the stadium like this. And to see so many Barça fans in the city and on the pitch. We hope to repeat it," said the German coach.

And a day that could mark the beginning of an era. This was the dominant sentiment among the Barcelona fans who, even in the early hours, milled about the streets of Seville, passing Real Madrid fans with their heads bowed and elegant Sevillans leaving weddings. "When Araujo said it was the beginning of a new era, he got the year wrong. Now it is," says Roger, a Barcelona native who doesn't usually miss a final. Laporta, without wishing to be so explicit, was going in that direction when he highlighted the ambition of this group: "The players were the first ones convinced they would win the final. They're very young, sometimes irreverent," he said. Lamine Yamal, in fact, explained how "he had told Ronald Araujo at the hotel that it didn't matter if they scored one or two goals, that we would win because they can't beat us this year." Lamine embodies that blessed irreverence, with his new hairstyle, pair of sunglasses, and dancing to the music of Skales, the singer he and Balde invited to the squad party. Marc Casadó was also one of the life and soul of the party, carrying a net and expressing what many people thought when they saw Cubarsí being interviewed on Televisió de Catalunya: "This guy is very good, he's terrific," he said. Both celebrated the trophy with a Catalan flag around their necks.

Young and old, of course. Like Iñigo Martínez, who admitted that "I've been hoping for a long time to experience finals like this," having been unlucky against Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. "They look like a school playground," joked Dani Olmo upon seeing Balde and Yamal dancing. At the party, they provided most of the music, although Marc Casadó was in charge of playing the anthem and Barça songs from time to time. The Barça board admitted that they need to be somewhat cautious, but that seeing how this team works, they can't help but raise their hopes and trust that the league will also be won.

Flick's boss has Inter Milan in mind

And the Champions League? Flick is already thinking about Inter. The match schedule and extra time aren't helping preparations for the match against Simone Inzaghi's players, who have one less day to prepare for the match, given the schedule changes due to the Pope's funeral in Italy have forced them to play against Roma this Sunday. Because this Barça team's progress doesn't stop, and everyone is dreaming of the treble. "Calm down, calm down," Laporta said with a laugh just after four in the morning, as the party was ending. "Flick has everything under control," he added. The German coach explains that "he often says that I'm here with my team to create an atmosphere at the club, so the players enjoy themselves and can play at their highest level. Let the players see that we have confidence in them. That's what it's all about," he said, admitting with a small voice that he would like to see himself in the final in Munich. "Inter plays first, we have to think about them," he insisted after a final that will last for many years. This generation of young footballers, coached by Flick, want Seville to be remembered not just as an emotional final. They want it to be the beginning of a golden era.