The debate surrounding the legend of Bela Guttmann persists, but one thing is clear: just like in the 2014 Europa League final against Sevilla in Turin, Benfica fans left the pitch disappointed after a 4-4 draw. Perhaps they are beginning to understand something deeper about this ongoing story. Their chances could have materialized, but Di María’s failure proved costly. The turning point came when Raphinha scored a decisive goal, sealing a 5-4 victory, further adding to this narrative with his link to Bruno Fernandes from their days at Sporting.
Hansi Flick was stunned in the pouring Lisbon rain, and perhaps he should have opted for a raincoat. His choice to start Wojciech Szczesny proved to be a dramatic mistake for the team, as the Polish goalkeeper struggled throughout the match, leaving his team in a precarious situation. The fight was so unpredictable that despite the difficult position he put his team in, Szczesny produced a late save that could be considered momentous. While it’s possible that Barcelona’s kamikaze style of play won’t take them far, there’s no denying that they’ve shed the inhibitions that have handicapped them over the past decade in this competition. Instead of crumbling under the pressure while trailing 4-2, they fought back with spirit.
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For this occasion, Flick managed to hit the right note. He risked everything by fielding three defenders while deploying significant firepower with players such as Fermín, Lamine, Ferran, Raphinha and Lewandowski. Araújo found himself in an unexpected attacking role, and Eric, who could soon leave the club, played a crucial role in helping his coach by equalizing at 4-4. As the crowd continued to evacuate, Raphinha scored again. This season, Barcelona has triumphed over four European champions: Bayern, Red Star Belgrade, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica. This could be their year in the Champions League, especially if Pedri continues this exceptional momentum… What a remarkable comeback in football for him.
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