Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey final after edging past Atlético Madrid 5-4 on aggregate. The Catalan giants will now take on their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, in a highly anticipated final on the 26th of this month. However, despite this significant achievement, frustration lingered in the dressing room.
During the intense match at the Metropolitano Stadium, Lamine Yamal delivered an outstanding performance, creating multiple scoring opportunities for his teammates—particularly Raphinha. The Brazilian winger, however, failed to capitalize on several clear-cut chances that could have secured the victory for Barcelona earlier.
One of the most contentious moments came when Yamal was in a prime position to score, yet Raphinha chose to take a reckless shot instead of passing, squandering a key opportunity. This decision reportedly left Yamal furious, believing his teammate needed to be more composed and clinical in front of goal. Sources suggest he even urged coach Hansi Flick to address Raphinha’s decision-making, stressing the importance of efficiency in high-stakes matches.
Looking ahead to the final, Barcelona will need every player at their best to overcome Real Madrid. Raphinha must refine his finishing, while Flick will have to maintain unity within the squad to ensure they perform at their peak in the championship showdown. All eyes are now on the 26th, as Barcelona aims for Copa del Rey glory against their fiercest rivals.
