Barcelona 4-4 Atletico Madrid: Three big talking points from the dramatic draw | OneFootball

FC Barcelona played an absolute thriller against Atletico Madrid in an entertaining 4-4 draw in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. It was a game full of joy and turmoil and it ultimately ended in a stalemate with all to play for in the second leg.

The game started on a very sour note for Barcelona, conceding two goals within the first 10 minutes only to come fighting back and secure a 3-2 lead at half-time. Hansi Flick’s men went on to make it 4-2, only to bottle it in the last 10 minutes and finish the game 4-4.

There were so many positives to take out of the game for Hansi Flick but also things that he needs to work on. It is ultimately a very difficult game to dissect and yet, it has to be done to learn from it and improve going forward.

With all this in mind, we at BNN bring you three big talking points for Barcelona after the 4-4 thriller against Atletico Madrid at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.

Barcelona endured a very weird game against Atletico Madrid that see-sawed a fair bit through the 90 minutes. It all started very badly for the Catalan club who did not seem switched on and let Atletico take advantage in the first 10 minutes.

However, the next 70 minutes of the game showcased just how much the team has grown under Hansi Flick. Not for a moment did they let their heads drop and they counter-pressed with immense intensity and managed to secure a 4-2 lead.

This good phase in the game is exactly what has been Hansi Flick’s biggest victory as the Barcelona head coach so far. He has managed to instill a never-give-up mentality into the players that has been visible a number of times this season.

Finally, the last 10 minutes of the game represented the ugly phase. Hansi Flick got his tactical substitutions wrong (for maybe the first time of this season) and all hell broke loose, with Atletico scoring two goals to level the tie. It is ultimately one that Barcelona need to take on their chin and learn.

What do you even say about Pedri? At this point, we are running out of superlatives to talk about his performances this season. The biggest flowers that we could give the Spaniard is just how much control Barcelona lost in the game after he was taken off.

Pedri was almost unplayable against Atletico Madrid last night. It felt as if he had the ball glued to his feet and yet managed to create so many chances. He also took his goal exceptionally well and should have had at least one assist if not more.

The Canary Islands midfielder is growing from strength to strength to strength in every passing game and there genuinely can be no debate that in terms of a pure midfielder, no one in the world comes close to the level that the youngster is showing.

Whenever Barcelona plays well, Pedri is at the heart of things and that is saying something about the midfield maestro. May his form and fitness continue to be with him for a long time and ultimately, it is the team that benefits!

Over the past few weeks, there has been so much clamor surrounding Lamine Yamal with claims of him being selfish in front of goal and constantly complaining to the referees putting pressure on him for the first time in his career.

However, against Atletico Madrid, Lamine showed just why he should never be doubted. Coming into the game without an actual training session behind him, the teenager absolutely ran the show from start to finish, running rings around the opposition.

In around an hour of football, Lamine seriously made Javi Galan reconsider his decision to become a footballer. The left-back was toyed with at will by the Spanish teenager and it was a performance for the ages.

Lamine is still young and learning but never doubt what he brings to the table. What he is already doing at just 17 years of age is incredible and one can only hope the same continues for a long time in a Barcelona jersey.