A tempestuous, mind-boggling affair in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-finals at the Camp Nou saw Barcelona progress to the finals for the fourth year running but not before making things as awkward for themselves as possible.
A late strike saw outgoing Atletico Madrid muster a late equaliser to salvage a draw, but that just wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit from the first leg as nine men Barcelona held on.
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The match was interspersed with horrible challenges and heated exchanges, as the hosts saw two of their players sent off while the visitors went a man down as well. Luis Suarez opened the scoring for the Catalans before getting sent off late in the game, but Kevin Gamiero, who had missed a penalty earlier, restored parity with a late strike.
Sergi Roberto and Yannick Carrasco too saw red in this feisty game, while the Blaugrana held on to go through. Here are the major talking points.
#1 Barcelona unconvincing, yet progress
This was by no means a classic Barca. Shaky at the back and uncharacteristically lacking urgency in attack, the Catalans appeared directionless for the most part of the game. Luis Suarez’s goal at most can be termed opportunistic as he bundled home a rebound.
Atletico Madrid are a tough proposition on any night, but the hosts had all the tools in their arsenal to sail though. However, they bottled up and put on one of the most forgettable performances of their season.
Although a draw sufficed Barca’s target of reaching the finals, manager Luis Enrique would be concerned with his side’s abject display.
#2 Atletico squander a great opportunity
Los Rojiblancos fought valiantly to salvage a draw in a game where they were expected to lose, but they could’ve got much more from it. Like a place in the final.
Firstly, they were gifted a one-man advantage when Roberto was sent off for an early bath. An advantage they never quite took hold of. Secondly, after Carrasco was sent off too, Gamiero had a golden chance to level the things from the spot, but the Frenchman struck his attempt against the crossbar.
The former Sevilla man may have got his goal just three minutes later but had he converted his penalty, it would’ve changed the entire complexion of the game in the final few minutes.
Atletico were dumped out despite putting up a great fight. And now with a huge gap to make up for in La Liga, the only real chance fro them to garner silverware this season would be in the Champions League.
#3 Barcelona miss Neymar dearly
The Brazilian may have been under fire for his poor record in front of the goal this season, but quite frankly, has been doing the dirty work for Barcelona all the while and his absence was sorely felt by the hosts.
Neymar’s productivity lies in stretching out defences, building attacks and laying in delicious crosses for Suarez and Messi to feast upon. Without him, the Catalans were running short of attacking flair.
Messi was clearly unsettled by Atletico’s defence, whereas Suarez was underwhelming too. So that’s two of the biggest threats nullified. Plausibly, they were hence forced to defend more, with the visitors launching a relentless wave of attacks.
Fortunately for them, they have Neymar available for the finals despite losing Suarez after his red card.
#4 Griezmann shines once again
Antoine Griezmann may have been robbed of two major finals last year by his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo. However, after a memorable year with both France and Atletico Madrid on a personal level, he has truly redefined his status as one of the best in the business.
The Frenchman, scorer of the first leg for Atletico, was back in it again.
Griezmann was harshly denied a goal for offside midway through the match, while the replays showed the goal was completely legitimate and should have stood. Then after hassling the Barca defenders late in the game, he laid a perfectly woven pass for Gamiero to score just minutes after his compatriot missed a penalty.
The Rojiblancos winger has been one of the best signings of the club in years, and despite failing to find the net here, put on an admirable show.
#5 It is Barcelona’s trophy to lose
The Catalans are most likely to face Celta Vigo in the finals. They are always a tough prospect, and more so without Luis Suarez. But let’s not beat around the bush. Barcelona are too big for either of Celta or Alaves to topple, and anything other than a victory on May 27th would be a major embarrassment. But that's inconceivable.
The Catalans are through to their fourth successive Copa de Rey final and on the road to secure a third consecutive Kings Cup title, something which no team has done since 1953. That in itself is motivating enough for the holders to go all guns blazing and defend the title once again.
