You couldn't ask for more from those people: the immediate notes from Barça - Atlético de Madrid

BarcelonaBarça came close to making history. A 3-0 victory was not enough to reach the Cup final. Here are some quick notes.

No complaints, family. Overcoming a 4-0 deficit was incredibly difficult. So much so that, in 125 years of history, it had only been achieved once before, on that memorable night against PSG. The least that could be expected of Flick's squad was that they compete against a tough nut to crack like Atlético de Madrid. Within seconds of the opening whistle, it was clear that this objective would be more than fulfilled. Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Fermín pressed as if their lives depended on it; Lamine Yamal exuded the form he showed at the end of last season, and Pedri, who finished the match completely ineffective, dominated the rest of the team. Atlético's relentless pressure, so painful in the first leg, faltered throughout the 90 minutes of the return leg against an opponent that was superior in every way imaginable. Nevertheless, they survived. Barça may not be able to retain the Cup, but congratulations and thank you.

Connection 2007. The 1987 cohort will always be remembered for producing Leo Messi, Gerard Piqué, and Cesc Fàbregas, three World Cup champions. The first two played together in the best Barça team ever seen, but the third, signed from Arsenal as a senior player, arrived when the team's fortunes were waning and ended up being transferred to Chelsea. Twenty years younger are Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal, and Pau Cubarsí. These three youngsters not only represent another historic generation at La Masia, but at just 18 and 19 years old, they have already established themselves in the first team, writing feats that will be remembered for decades to come. They don't just follow success; they embody it without shame. They don't need anyone's patience or ask permission to inspire an entire generation of Barça fans. Now that's what it means to save Barça.

The best centre-back to be brave. Lamine Yamal and Bernal orchestrated the first goal, the most important one, the cornerstone of a comeback that all Barcelona fans saw as more possible than the statistics suggested. In the second half, the man from Berga repeated the feat and scored the third, proving that anyone comparing him to Busquets is only half right. But we must also highlight Cubarsí's work at the heart of the defense. Without the suspended Eric Garcia, the Girona native became the risk-taker for a Barça side committed to attack. Because his strength lies in playing the ball out from the back, it's often overlooked that he's a superb marker, commanding space like a veteran and anything but a soft defender in challenges. It's only been two years since Xavi gave him his debut, and now it's impossible to imagine Barça without him.

Losing oxen and cowbells. Barça won't take long to recover from this disappointment. Important matches are on the horizon, and they know the path to winning them well. However, at this stage of the season, it's already clear that the squad's lack of depth, coupled with differing approaches to physical conditioning, will lead to untimely injuries. Yesterday's unrewarded effort leaves two significant absences for the upcoming matches: Koundé and Balde. Pay particular attention to the Frenchman's absence, as he has played every minute due to a lack of reliable alternatives. To offset this bad news, it would be good if Cancelo maintains the level of his recent performances. The Portuguese player, weak defensively, is a constant threat in attack. His partnership with Lamine Yamal could be productive.