Three takeaways from Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid | Copa del Rey final | OneFootball

The last time Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, Lionel Messi put up a masterclass against Athletic Club in the final of the competition, Ronald Koeman was the manager of the club and Lamine Yamal was just 13 years old.

Last night, they downed their eternal rivals Real Madrid after an epic tussle and were crowned the champions of the competition once more – this time under Hansi Flick with Yamal racking up two assists.

The game was a topsy-turvy one with Barcelona initially holding on to the momentum but losing their way in the second half and giving away the lead to Real Madrid.

Yamal’s assist to Ferran Torres late in the game coupled with a Jules Kounde screamer in the 115th minute, however, crowned Flick’s side champions and helped them win a second straight win over Real Madrid in the final of a competition.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid.

The toughest Clasico

The El Clasico final last night was always going to be a gruelling one. Last night’s game, however, pushed the team to the limit both physically and mentally.

Barcelona comfortably dominated the first half of the proceedings, creating decent chances and even going ahead via a Pedri golazo. They suffered without a target man but were clearly the better team.

Credit where it is due, Real Madrid came out of the tunnel more inspired and were the better team against Barcelona for the better part of the second half.

Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni’s goals had Barcelona on the brink of defeat, but Ferran forced the game into extra time and the 30 additional minutes after the 90-minute mark saw the Blaugrana stars play until they were winded.

If physical exhaustion was not enough, Barcelona’s mental limits were also tested on a massive scale last night, especially with Real Madrid’s pressure tactics on the referees working out well.

Los Blancos’ players were simply not booked for gruesome fouls, three penalties were not even checked for Barcelona and the script all looked set for a Real Madrid win. Ultimately, however, it was football that won as Hansi Flick’s side scripted a comeback.

A team built different

A special team. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

There is something different about Hansi Flick’s Barcelona compared to previous versions of the team, most conspicuously in terms of mental resilience.

The Catalans were in the lead against Real Madrid until the 70-minute mark and needed just 20 more minutes to pass by to lift the trophy. Seven minutes later, they were a goal down with just 13 minutes to go and any other team might have collapsed.

Not this Barcelona under Hansi Flick’s watch though. Despite having just 13 minutes to get back into the game, the champions dug in deep and scored through Ferran Torres just seven minutes after Tchouameni’s goal, forcing the tie into extra time.

The first half of extra-time saw Barcelona push but fail to score while Real Madrid also had occasional chances. Every passing minute made a penalty shootout a more realistic finish to the game – a development that would hand Los Blancos the impetus.

Just when it appeared that the game was heading to a draw, however, Jules Kounde pushed ahead with zeal and energy despite the fatigue in his system, won the ball and lashed it past Thibaut Courtois.

What won the game last night for Barcelona, more than anything else, was the pure desire and passion to win coupled with their belief in their football. Flick has truly changed the squad’s mentality.

One step closer to the dream

Recent years have made Barcelona realise the real value of trophies and how difficult the road to conquering a tournament is. It has not been easy for the team after the change of guard, but the transition now appears complete.

Last night’s win was not just a win for the dressing room but one for the management, the administration and the team’s long-term project. Barcelona are the champions of the Copa del Rey after over four years and it could not have arrived at a more opportune time.

The celebrations of the win may not last long, especially given the team’s fatigue and the critical UCL game midweek. Concurrently, however, the dressing room will be ecstatic to have moved one step closer to the treble.

With one of the three trophies in the bag, Barcelona will be more inspired than ever before to make it all the way in the UEFA Champions League and La Liga.

The win in El Clasico with a remontada, moreover, will ensure they take on Inter Milan with serious momentum on their side. The dream is real.