Tired but euphoric. And singing happy birthday in Catalan to Pau Cubarsí, who came of age at midnight and still in Lisbon. To complete the celebration there were even some Belem cakes and other pastries bought in Lisbon that were distributed on the Barça expedition plane. There were no candles for safety reasons, but there were plenty of smiles. After two hours of flight, the Barça plane landed quietly in Barcelona after 2 in the morning. The footballers retired to their homes and yesterday returned to training in a gentle physical and emotional recovery session. There are plenty of reasons.
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It had been 59 years since Benfica had lost at home, conceding five or more goals. Specifically since 1966 when they lost 3-8 to Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the top European competition. This time it was Barcelona who spoiled their party. And the frustration of the fans rebounded on the 60,000 seats of Da Luz. If we add to such rage the intense storm, including lightning, that bathed the stadium, the image is truly epic. Especially with Raphinha on his knees in the center of the field accompanied by the euphoria of the entire squad.
Raphinha celebrating the comeback after scoring in the 96th minute
The miracle for the culés was a nightmare for Benfica fans. Raphinha, a footballer little or not at all loved in the red part of Lisbon due to his past in Sporting de Portugal, had just taken away any possibility of winning the match. With the score reading 4-4, the Brazilian did not wait. Without looking back, a counterattack culminated while in the opposite area a penalty was requested in favor of Benfica for an action in which Di María ended up on the ground. That possible penalty could have changed everything.
Given the reaction of the Benfica fans, the Barça expedition waited for the stadium to empty
But not. Neither the Dutch referee Makkelie nor the VAR saw the maximum penalty anywhere. The frustration of the Portuguese was such that the families of the players and the companions of the directors of the Blaugrana club had to wait for the permission of the security members to leave the stadium. There were cries of “theft from Barcelona” or “you are thieves.” More than one had to bite their tongue.
I am a person who respects everyone. “When I came out, there were people who insulted me.”
It was not the case with Raphinha. “I am a person who respects everyone. When I came out, there were people who insulted me. I returned them. I know it shouldn’t be done, but in the end we all got hot,” acknowledged the Brazilian, who teammates like Eric Garcia had to calm down in the locker room tunnel to prevent the brawl from being more intense than the deluge outside.
Raphinha celebrating his 5-4
Raphinha, who won the award for best player of the match, left the stadium and met Flick, who had just spoken to the media in the press room. They both hugged each other. His two goals lifted Barça off the canvas when things were worst in Lisbon.
“Yes, I am in the best moment of my career,” said Raphinha, scorer of 22 of the 94 goals that Barcelona has scored in the 31 games played to date. He is ahead of Robert Lewandowski, who with his double in Da Luz, reached 28 goals. Record figures for both footballers who have sky-high confidence and who insist on playing as many minutes as possible.
Barça’s numbers
91 goals in 31 games
52 in the League
26 in the Champions League
9 in the Copa del Rey
7 in the Spanish Super Cup
The same thing happens with Pedri, who has started 23 games in a row. His physical parameters indicate that the break does not suit him well. His resistance is partly explained because he flirted with athletics until he was 15. He did long distance races because his strength was endurance. Today it is the cornerstone of the Flick team and Deco is completing its renovation until 2030.
“I feel privileged”
The same happens with Cubarsí. In May 2024, less than eight months ago, Barça announced its renewal until 2027 with a clause of 500 million. Deco is already working to extend that contract now that the center back has come of age. And, of course, his clause, which is currently 500 million. “I feel privileged,” the center-back commented to Barça One to summarize his first year with the first team. Since he debuted on January 18, 2024 in Salamanca, he has played 55 games, 30 of them with Flick.
On the return plane the coach congratulated him on his birthday and his performance. Also to Szczesny, who went from villain to hero after his two interventions at the end of the match. Even so, after his two major mistakes, there are those within the club who do not see it clearly that the Pole should be Barcelona’s lock.
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