More proud than sad: a champion Barça despite falling in Milan

In football, the best don't always win, especially in tournaments as demanding as the UEFA Champions League. The tie between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan was a sublime spectacle for fans of the beautiful game where, in the end, the 'Nerazzurri' celebrated. After two draws (3-3) and 180 minutes of madness, the Italians obtained the pass to the final in Munich in extra time (4-3).

But beyond the elimination, Barça has plenty of reasons to feel like champions despite falling at the Giuseppe Meazza. Although 2025 will not allow them to repeat the treble, it has given unforgettable performances from a team that many considered dead since the pre-season. Hansi Flick took charge of a young squad with several significant injury absences in August.

🔝Flick's Barça: an offensive machine that can mark an era

After a discreet summer in terms of reinforcements (only Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor arrived), the team displayed attractive, ultra-offensive football from the end of August. In addition, they demonstrated character and personality to overcome extremely complicated matches. Thus, the 'culés' reached the Champions League 'semis' for the first time in six years and were just two minutes away from reaching the final.

In the third of the 5 minutes added by Szymon Marciniak, a goal from Francesco Acerbi sent the tie to extra time. Barça turned a 2-0 deficit around in an almost perfect second half, but lacked the malice to cool the game down in added time. Something understandable for a young team, with a lot of talent and personality, but which ended up with an improvised defense due to injuries.

Again, the defense was the team's Achilles heel in Europe, conceding 14 goals in 24 games. However, the fans and the football world recognize the work done by an unstoppable team in attack, capable of scoring 163 goals in 56 matches against 29 different rivals.

Only Real Madrid, in 3 Clásicos, has taken 12 goals from the 'culés'. With this, in addition to the talent of La Masía, a colossal Lamine Yamal, Pedri as the best midfielder in the world and the imminent return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, there are plenty of reasons to trust a team destined for great things in the medium and long term.

🏆No time for regrets, but a Clásico and a League to win

On Sunday, in addition, Barcelona can close a historic season, with four Clásicos won and three titles against their lifelong rival. Although the sixth 'big-eared' trophy did not arrive, there are plenty of reasons to applaud the squad and the coaching staff who, in a year that many assumed would be transitional and worse than 23/24, have laid the foundations for a winning sports project.

Yes, Barça regrets a cruel defeat in Milan, but there is no reason to feel defeated. On the contrary. The best is yet to come. This is just beginning and, on Sunday, there is a League to win in Montjuïc, the twenty-eighth in history and the third trophy in the last five months. Let's lift our heads and close the 24/25 season as it deserves: winning with good football, being better than the rival.