Barcelona’s defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals means their suffering goes on in a competition they have not won since 2015.
Luis Enrique was in charge when Barca last claimed the trophy, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar up front in a treble-winning team. Last season, they reached the semi-finals — and progressing further was the big aim this campaign.
Instead, Hansi Flick’s side were again knocked out by Atletico Madrid, who also defeated them in the Copa del Rey.
It leaves Barca with just La Liga to play for. They are nine points clear of Real Madrid with seven matches to play, including a home Clasico on May 10 when the championship can be wrapped up.
So, what can we expect to happen? Does this setback damage Flick’s position? What about plans for recruitment? And why exactly have they fallen short?
The Athletic’s Barcelona correspondents Pol Ballus and Laia Cervello Herrero discuss.
How big a deal is defeat for Barcelona?
Pol: The Champions League was the great dream of this Barca squad. To continue progressing, it was the step they needed to take — but they haven’t managed it.
In that sense, it’s painful. But at the same time, Barca have competed well in other competitions. They look set to defend their Spanish league title. They lost in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey against Atletico — but came very close to achieving a remarkable comeback after disaster in the first leg at the Metropolitano.
The trauma with this competition continues for a little while longer. But Flick’s team have reasons to be proud.
Barcelona players were bereft as Atletico celebrated their victory (Thomas COEX / AFP via Getty Images)
Laia: I don’t think failing to win the Champions League is a major setback for the project, because for the first time in a long while, I can sense the club and fans are really excited about the future.
In previous seasons, under Ronald Koeman or Xavi, failures like this would really shake the foundations. But there’s a feeling it’s no longer now or never. The team can still make it next season. This has not come down to a lack of talent, but rather the team’s youth and problems with squad depth during a season marked by accumulated fatigue and numerous injuries.
Does it change anything for Flick or Barca’s planning?
Laia: When Flick arrived as Xavi’s replacement in May 2024, everyone accepted that it was a project where the foundations were being laid. But he delivered results straight away.
Without significant investment, they managed to win a domestic treble and look likely to defend La Liga this term. We’re talking about teenage players from the academy against a Real Madrid who two years ago signed Kylian Mbappe.
The goal was the Champions League, but there will be patience with Flick. It’s still hoped that delivering their first European title since 2015 will be one of his legacies.
Pol: After last year’s success, Flick signed a two-year contract extension until June 2027. Barca president Joan Laporta has already publicly said he wants Flick to extend again, and nobody would be surprised by that. The German 61-year-old said in March that the Barca job will be his final one in management, and he is very happy at the club.
Hansi Flick extended his Barcelona contract until June 2027 (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The Champions League is very much about specific moments too, beyond just how you play. In this tie, Barca have suffered in very important moments — there was Pau Cubarsi’s red card and the potential handball by Marc Pubill not being given as a penalty.
Recruitment plans were clear before the Atletico tie. In the transfer market, the priorities will be a striker and a centre-back. What might change is a new desire to add more experience to a very young squad.
Why have they fallen short?
Pol: Atletico Madrid had luck on their side in the first leg, and they capitalised on the situation. Significant absences, such as Raphinha up front, proved damaging for Barca.
Latent problems in the squad have also come to the surface in this final stretch of the season, especially in attack. Neither Robert Lewandowski nor Ferran Torres are fully fit and they haven’t been for months. Lamine Yamal has been isolated without proper support in attack.
Defender Eric Garcia has filled in as a midfielder and Pedri is still getting back to his best after injury. In defence, they’ve ended up with Gerard Martin playing at centre-back.
Laia: Physical fatigue has to be one of the main issues. In the first leg last Wednesday, it was a bit like Yamal against the world, and the 18-year-old is perhaps the only one reaching his prime at this stage of the season. The rest have been hampered by injuries or fitness issues. That has led to fewer rotations and Barcelona’s starting XI becoming very worn out.
Barcelona could have one of the best starting line-ups in Europe, but they do not have one of the best squads on the continent. And you need that to win the Champions League.
Where should they go from here?
Pol: Last season should serve as an example. After Barca were knocked out of the Champions League, losing 4-3 to Inter in the second leg of their semi-final, they played Real Madrid at home in their next game and put in a great performance to win 4-3 and essentially settle La Liga.
Barca must aim for the same, because they still have great things to fight for — including a home Clasico against Madrid on May 10. Depending on results, that could even be the day they win the title. Never in the club’s history have they sealed the league directly by beating their arch rivals.
It would make this season unique, and it has to be a reason for the squad to keep fighting.
Laia: This season hasn’t been easy, but the second term of a major project rarely is. Barca were coming off the back of a domestic treble and getting so close to a Champions League final. It was a new experience for many of the players, and that’s difficult to manage. They’ve done very well this term, given what could have happened.
They’re likely to retain La Liga, and they had the Camp Nou on its feet in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico, when they played one of the best matches of the season but were still knocked out. This season could still be unique, with a Clasico party, and that’s what they need to hold on to. It can also be part of the maturing of a project that still looks very promising.
