Just days after a crushing Champions League semi-final exit to Inter Milan, Barcelona showed their resilience in spectacular fashion, pulling off a dramatic 4-3 comeback win against arch-rivals Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clasico.
For a moment, it looked like their season might unravel. A potential treble had already slipped through their fingers, and slipping behind 2-0 early on could have spelled disaster for a club that not long ago was plagued by inconsistency and off-field turmoil.
But under Hansi Flick, this is a rejuvenated Barcelona.
Falling behind early for the third time in four matches, the Catalans responded with remarkable spirit, scoring four times before the break to lead 4-2 at half-time. Although Real Madrid mounted late pressure, Barcelona held firm to claim a crucial victory that puts them on the brink of the La Liga title.
A win over Espanyol on Thursday will seal the club’s 28th league title, though they could clinch it even sooner if Madrid falter against Mallorca on Wednesday.
Sunday’s win also marked Barcelona’s fourth Clasico triumph over Real Madrid this season — a feat the club has only achieved once before. The achievement is a testament to Flick’s impact since taking over from Xavi last summer.
This Barcelona side, fuelled by emerging stars like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Pau Cubarsí, combines youthful energy with tactical discipline. Their aggressive pressing and clinical finishing tore through Real Madrid, a team led by Kylian Mbappe, who set a personal scoring record in the match but still couldn’t prevent the defeat.
Barcelona’s transformation from a team in crisis to one brimming with belief and identity is striking. And while they may not do things the easy way, as Sunday proved, their grit and determination are undeniable.
As one club insider put it after the final whistle: “Suffering makes us strong.”
