Were Barcelona unlucky versus Atlético Madrid or have they still not learned their lesson in the Champions League?

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 14: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Club Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 14, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images It’s hard to be upset with this Barcelona team . There have been two big disappointments this season, both at the hands of Atlético Madrid, but Hansi Flick’s Blaugrana never give up, and they never stop entertaining.

Flick drew it up perfectly to start the second leg. You can’t argue with his starting lineup, the tactics, or the mentality of his players. It was a bit of a surprise to see Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski dropped to the bench, and to see Gavi get the nod in the midfield, but those choices explain exactly what Flick was going for.

Maximum intensity above all else, the core ingredient you need when you are looking to make a comeback. Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Fermín López were the right forwards for the job. Dani Olmo didn’t have his best game, but from a tactical point of view, his inclusion was essential.

Gavi was at his warrior best, perhaps even outplaying Pedri, an almost impossible feat. Lamine may just have taken his game to an ever higher level. This was a bona fide possessed superstar performance when it mattered most.