Hope you’re not a Barcelona supporter because nights like the previous one are too hard to swallow.The Blaugrana teenagers once again scored three goals, played some spectacular football and came back from a 2-0 down, just like they did in the first leg. Alas, it wasn’t enough for the Champions League final as they conceded two more goals, four altogether and fell to the ground of the Guiseppe Meazza Stadium in complete dejection.And who can blame those youngsters for feeling such emotional pain following that crazy rollercoaster?Mamma mia! Inter knock down Barca in one of the greatest-ever spectaclesHansi Flick’s side is one of the most attractive we’ve seen in the last 20 years, for sure, recreating some of that old Barca vibe from the Ronaldinho era and the early stages of Lionel Messi’s Camp Nou glory, when every new game was a new chance to witness something magical.That’s what Lamine Yamal and his band of high-school brothers provide us today, going much further than maybe some of the star-studded Blaugrana teams during Pep Guardiola’s coaching reign. Unlike that notorious tiki-taka football, which was lethal but also a tad bit dull to watch with countless short passes and patient build-ups (to put it politely), this Flickalona is completely different – their attacking arsenal and creativity, along with the accuracy and speed installed in those La Masia gems is such a pleasure for the eyes of a neutral football fan who simply wants to enjoy the game.Lamine Yamal completed a total of 14 successful dribbles against Inter tonight, the most by a player in a single #UCL match since Neymar vs Atalanta in 2020 (15). 😳 pic.twitter.com/nf2WWB2X2j— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 6, 2025 We even dare to say that no one has brought so much joy to this sport as a group of underaged boys with no right to vote but all rights to claim they are the brightest talents in the world of football.But – and there’s always that ‘but’ out there somewhere – all these Barca’s virtues are related to attacking, and football is a game to be played in both directions. And defensive flaws have been their worst nightmare.##NAJAVA_MECA_8910386##Ironically, what makes their attack so damn flawless and unstoppable – that youth and energy and drive to go up and search for another goal – is what makes their defence so vulnerable and what actually killed Barcelona last night in Milan.After that Raphinha’s late goal for 3-2, instead of building a rock-solid wall in the back that would keep off Inter’s dejected players, Blaugrana’s kids lacked discipline, wisdom and the necessary mental stability, staying too high and provoking that late death – things you just can’t have inside you before becoming an adult.And just take a look at the age of Barca’s defenders last night. Except for Inigo Martinez, who’s 33, the rest of the Flick’s back-line resembles more a high-school class than a Champions League finalist.Yo quiero sentir que nos robaron eh, pero ves la acción completa y es una (otra más) catastrofe defensiva. Cubarsi salta a destiempo, hay 6 nuestros atacando faltando dos minutos, Martin le erra a la pelota, Cubarsi se duerme para cortar el centro y Araújo pifia. No hay remate https://t.co/iW7GBjhOVz pic.twitter.com/2On8InTFHk— Mateo (@Scaloneta2003) May 7, 2025 Pau Cubarsi and Hector Fort are 18, Eric Garcia is 23, and Gerard Martin is 23. Sure, you’ll say, “But look at Yamal. He’s only 17, so what?”. However, there’s one crucial contrast between forwards and defenders – the latter gets better with years and experience.You need more of those Inigos and less of those Cubarsis, despite the gap in the quality in Pau’s favour.Inter, for instance, had their veteran hero Franesco Acerbi, who still played non-league football when he was 22. The 37-year-old centre-back (who is, by the way, older than Cubarsi and Fort altogether!) has got so much experience, on and off the pitch, that it proved crucial in an instant classic like the tie between Inter and Barcelona turned out to be.From depths of hell to UCL final: before Barca, Inter’s hero Acerbi topped cancer, depression, alcoholism…Undoubtedly, the Catalans are disappointed after the UCL exit, but what they have is more than a fantastic foundation for the future. They may only lack a bit of grey hair in that back line, and that’s the serious task ahead of Flick and the club’s president, Joan Laporta, in the upcoming transfer window.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – SEMI FINALSTuesday Inter – Barcelona 4-3 a.e.t. (3-3)/Lautaro 21, Calhanoglou 45 pen, Acerbi 90+3, Frattesi 99 – Garcia 54, Olmo 60, Raphinha 87/Inter win 7-6 on aggregateWednesday22:00: (2.15) PSG (3.60) Arsenal (3.60)***odds are subject to change***
