Legends, Rivals Praise Barca; Bigger Things to Come?

While FC Barcelona may no longer be in the UEFA Champions League, they certainly left their mark. 

The fans with Barcelona tickets were left in tears after Inter Milan made a comeback late in the game to book their spot in the finals. 

It was a Champions League game for the ages, and a game nobody wanted to end. An intense and gripping tie, it saw both legs end with a 3-3 score-line during normal time, and it needed extra-time to find a decisive goal that would end the tie in favour of Inter Milan with an aggregate score of 7-6 to the Italian side.

But, for Barcelona, they will have to wait another year to get a chance at winning the UEFA Champions League. 

However, the world Hansi Flick has done around the team, and the management is surely worth praise. 

The entire footballing community, including rivals, is praising the club’s efforts. 

Praise from the Madrid Legend

As one of the most outstanding teams in the competition, La Blaugrana managed to showcase its football quality to the world. Even as it bowed out of the competition, Barcelona certainly played its hearts out.

Still, in both legs, Barcelona returned from being 2-0 down against a resilient Inter Milan defence, which showed the world that this Barça team does not go down without a fight. 

That character display and determination won people over, including a certain Real Madrid legend.

Toni Kroos, a man who knows all too well what it is like to play against Barcelona, spoke about the team following their game against Inter Milan. For him, as quoted by Reshad Rahman, Hansi Flick’s team has to be enjoyed and appreciated:

“We can simply appreciate the way Barcelona plays, that’s a fact. In the first leg, they were 2-0 down, and in the second leg, they were also 2-0 down. And usually, against Inter, you can’t come back because they have a very solid defense. Still, when you see how Barcelona played, you have to congratulate Hansi Flick and Barcelona for this performance.”

Praise for Pedri 

These are certainly big words from a man who has battled against Barcelona while representing Real Madrid for many years. A legend for Los Blancos, but still a person who can appreciate good quality no matter where his allegiance lies.

Kroos previously highlighted how he believed Pedri to be the best player in the world in his own position. Even if this statement did not sit right with fans of Real Madrid and other rival clubs, the German veteran made sure to appreciate the Barcelona player for what he has managed to do this season.

Hansi Flick Looking for Forwards

With how the FC Barcelona attack has performed this season, Hansi Flick hopes his three-star forwards can continue to play at the same level for the upcoming season.

However, things are naturally not going to remain the same next year. While Yamal is expected to get only better going forward, and Raphinha is also expected to maintain his level for some years, there are still some doubts about Robert Lewandowski’s future, as the Pole is already 36 years old and will be 37 at the start of next season.

All those with Barcelona tickets missed Lewandowski in the all-important semifinal clash. Had he been there, several more crosses from Lamine Yamal would’ve found the net. 

It also draws focus to a crucial factor in Lewandowski’s ageing. While he has aged like fine wine, the club thinks having a prospective talent in his position is also favourable. 

Barcelona scouts watch Samu Aghehowa

As a result, the Catalans are looking for a long-term successor to the Polish veteran, and sources have told Sempre Barça that they see the Porto youngster Samu Aghehowa as the ideal candidate.

Scouts from Barcelona closely monitored the young striker as he played for Porto in the league match against Moreirense. Aghehowa impressed in this game by scoring two goals, which ended in a 3-1 win for his side.

Porto striker emerges as a priority for Barcelona!

The Blaugranes are seeing the 21-year-old striker as a priority target for this summer. However, getting him will not be easy as he has a contract with the Portuguese side till 2029, which is protected by a release clause of €100 million. Furthermore, Barcelona will also face stiff competition from other big European sides for his signature.

But it is easy to understand why the Catalans want him in the upcoming summer. They want the young striker to integrate into their squad and learn from a striker as experienced and accomplished as Robert Lewandowski before gradually transitioning as the main striker for Hansi Flick’s team.

Still, Barcelona also has some contingency plans lined up if Samu Aghehowa proves too difficult to acquire. In this regard, Canadian striker Jonathan David is being seen as a potential signing.

However, the young Spaniard, who has scored 24 goals and provided 3 assists in 40 appearances this season, would undoubtedly be the more exciting signing. He still has further room to develop and will be able to play with several of his international teammates at Barcelona.

Xavi Shared His Moment with Hansi Flick 

While Flick spotlights Barça’s performance this season, much of the credit should also go to Xavi, who was pivotal in grooming the talent. 

He was instrumental in encouraging the young talent at a time when the club was struggling. 

Earlier this season, a photo emerged that pictured Flick and Xavi together, and it was a beautiful one for all Barcelona fans. Recently, in an interview with the Athletic, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish tactician was asked what the conversation was about.

Here is what he had to say:

“Hansi came to see me, and we spoke for two hours. We have a good relationship, and he said, ‘ Thank you very much. What you helped create here makes me happy. The players train hard and learn from you.’” 

Xavi also mentioned that he had a few words of advice to offer to the current Barcelona coach. He said:

“Don’t follow anything from the media, or you’ll go crazy. Focus on the team because you suffer a lot if you’re from here.”

Xavi’s love for Barcelona can never be questioned. He was the first one to raise his hand and offer to leave when things went wrong last season. Nothing would make him happier than seeing this crop of players perform well under Flick’s tutelage.

Barcelona tickets are available to purchase now from secondary ticket markets.