Despite everything, Barça are still Barça (1-1)

Special envoy to ParisSome defeats end up becoming victories with the passage of time. Losing is part of life and Barça had not known how to lose in the Champions League for many years, becoming a caricature of its former self. But times are changing. If a year ago the team put their fans to shame in Lisbon, this time the barcelonistas could raise their head, proud of a team that for a few moments had the illusion of lifting a tie that had been decided for days. It didn't matter. In an act of faith, the Barça believed in it. And it made millions of people believe it too. But the lack of aim pardoned a defensive PSG (1-1), which could have done a lot of damage.

Yes, there are some things you just can't understand. More than one person will read this report and think it's stupid. I won't be able to disagree, because some things have to be felt. How can you explain the restlessness, the nerves in your stomach, and the problems coordinating your fingers? Like a believer on his knees waiting for a miracle, and for moments convinced that his wish will be granted, thousands of Barcelona fans went into hysterics every time Dembélé missed a goal-scoring chance, with every save by Keylor Navas or crosses that sailed into the French penalty area. All those who had been saying for days that they only had to think about the Copa and the Liga, joking about those who dreamed of a possible feat in France, found themselves getting up from the sofa, thrilled with their Barça. It had been a long time since the Barcelonistas had felt so proud of their players. And, as life would have it, it was in a Champions League round of 16 elimination.  

It was such a sincere elimination that Barça left the Parque de los Príncipes proudly, keeping intact the wave of euphoria created by Koeman's team, with their recent results, and Joan Laporta, with an election victory that has allowed him to get the fans back on board. If not so long ago Barça had a president who hid, now they have one who raises his voice. Yes, the Barça came to believe that it could raise an adverse 1-4. They had occasions for it. They had the game and the mood, too. But the lack of aim penalized a team that ended up without air in their lungs. Barça were able to accept their elimination with dignity and PSG were finally able to celebrate a victory over the blaugranas, but with fear in their hearts.

Koeman, ambitious, won the day against a Pochettino who at times was merely playing to get the ball to Mbappé. PSG's story in the second leg, in fact, was restricted to their star player, always dangerous and with a tendency to theatrical overacting, and a giant Keylor Navas in the back. The rest of the team defended as best they could against the attacks of a Barça side that started with three centre-backs, even though one of them was De Jong, commanding where Pique usually does. Mingueza had to take on the toughest job: holding off Mbappé's runs. And when he saw a yellow card, Koeman replaced him in the first half with Junior Firpo. Barça's display was like an unfinished work of art, like being the best in a contest in which the result is already agreed in the backstage. On the envelope with the name of the winner, it had been written for days that it would be PSG who would reach the quarter-finals.