This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. In the 2016/17 season, during a Champions League knockout stage, Barcelona lost 0-4 in the first leg in Paris against PSG. It seemed everything was decided in favor of the team then coached by Unai Emery, but in the second leg at Nou Camp, Barça won 6-1 and continued in the competition. This example must have made Barcelona fans and players believe that, nine years later, it was possible to repeat the miracle. This conviction led Hansi Flick's team to launch themselves into attack from the very first moment, forcing Atlético to retreat into their midfield with two defensive lines of five players each, holding on as best they could against Barça's offensive onslaught and neutralizing the dangerous chances that arose near the goal defended yesterday by Argentine Musso, who was forced to make several outstanding saves. The first setback for Barça was the injury to Koundé. João Cancelo, who started the game on the left side, moved to the right, with Baldé taking over the Portuguese player's position, who would also end up getting injured. However, this did not affect the team's performance, which continued to press as much as possible, making Atlético suffer, as they only sporadically and timidly ventured out of their refuge and approached the locals' penalty area. But, after so many attempts, the goal that Barça was desperately seeking finally came. Lamine Yamal penetrated from the left, crossed into the area, and Bernal appeared to send the ball into the back of the net. The first goal was scored, and shortly after, the second could have followed from a cross by Cancelo that Raphinha headed just wide of the target. Bernal and Raphinha left the blaugrana halfway to equalize the tie 😱 2-0 at halftime 🍿 #sporttvportugal #FUTEBOLna SPORTTV #Taçado Rei #Barcelona #Atleticode Madrid pic.twitter.com/a Vx6k XMFA4 In the final minutes before halftime, Atlético appeared a bit more in attack. Griezmann hit the crossbar (but the play was potentially offside), and Lookman, in an ideal position to score, headed the ball over the bar with Joan García beaten. In response, in the last minute of stoppage time, Barça managed to score the second goal. Pedri was brought down inside the area by Pubill, a clear penalty that Raphinha did not waste. The day before, Flick had warned that it was essential to score two goals before halftime; his wish became reality, and half of the challenge was fulfilled. At the restart, it seemed that Atlético wanted to step forward to relieve the pressure and even try to score, but Barça quickly regained the intensity of the first half. João Cancelo forced Musso into a great save, and shortly after, a good cross from him found Bernal, who seized the opportunity to score the third goal, putting Barça just one goal away from equalizing the tie. Bisa Bernal leaves Barcelona one goal away from tying the tie 😱 #sporttvportugal #FUTEBOLna SPORTTV #Taçado Rei #Barcelona #Atleticode Madrid pic.twitter.com/x KNRx XW7Nv After that, Barcelona intensified their attacks in search of the goal they needed, while Diego Simeone parked the bus in front of Musso's goal, defending the small advantage he had left. The final minutes were filled with nerves and excitement, but no more goals were scored. Barcelona did everything they could but could not find the missing goal, and Atlético, heroically, held on and returned home as finalists. Good performance from Cancelo, who had little work defensively and was more of an attacker with good incursions and some quality crosses; he is happy at Barça and wants to stay there. Remember the game's highlights.
In the Barcelona remains central to this story.
In the Barcelona remains central to this story.
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