Less populism and more solutions
Lamine Yamal is the only differential talent who has the capacity to give extra lives to Barça when it's in a tight spot in the Champions League. It's normal for him to fly higher than the rest because he's already the best footballer on the planet, but even Messi had travel companions with whom he could look eye-to-eye a little at the peak of imbalance. Neymar or Suárez would be the maximum exponent of a bag where Henry, Eto'o or Villa would fit. After winning the 2011 Champions League, Pep Guardiola asked that the club do everything possible so that Messi wouldn't get bored, surrounding him with the right players. A suggestion applicable to the current context. It is urgent that the genius from Rocafonda stops being accompanied only by warriors: he needs more partners at the top of the responsibility pyramid. And as much as there is the basis of a great generation from La Masia as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets or Puyol were then, it is not enough.
Lamine Yamal's personality fits very well with Hansi Flick's exuberant and daring philosophy. We prefer to fall a thousand times more as in the Metropolitano than to resemble Cholo Simeone's patheticness for even a minute. Since the German's arrival, Barça has taken an undeniable footballing leap, making the most of the squad, but the orange has a limit. The danger of stagnation is on the horizon and the club cannot hide behind the populist discourse of refereeing injustices. Despite this logical indignation, more self-criticism is missed from president Joan Laporta and company. How has Flick been helped so far? Who has been signed to increase the team's quality, beyond Joan Garcia? Has he been given full power in decision-making at the Sports City? Why have injuries piled up at key moments?
Laporta cannot afford another summer without properly listening to what Flick wants and offering him real fair play margin to work on his priorities. Midfielders and United cast-offs... no, thank you. Will the president squander another Champions League edition having a top coach and the best player in the world? Will he once again trust luck and the stars for the team's journey in Europe? With the League within reach, second place right under Kylian Mbappé's Madrid, we must not detract any merit from the 5 titles out of 8 achieved in two seasons. But if, as Flick says, “winning the Champions League is the most important thing,” it is necessary for those in the offices to get their act together, not just leave it at embracing Lamine Yamal, and demonstrate that “We have saved the club” was not just an electoral slogan.