Barcelona hope young talent learn from Champions League disappointment
Barcelona were turfed out of the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate defeat by Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals (Oscar DEL POZO) Barcelona's dream of Champions League glory was dashed for a second successive season but once again they will hope the bitter experience can spark their burgeoning young talent to deliver next term. This faith in the youth brigade -- spearheaded by teenager Lamine Yamal -- is what they are left clinging to following Tuesday's quarter-final exit at the hands of La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. It is a case of deja vu after last season's defeat by Inter Milan in the semi-finals.
"It's tough because everyone really believed that we could make it happen today," said Barca coach Hansi Flick following Tuesday's match which Barcelona won 2-1 but went out 3-2 on aggregate. "We will analyse everything. When something like that happens, players (must) make the next step.
We have a young team and they will improve. "Every day we have to learn more, we have to be better and this is what we have to do. " He will be mindful, though, that some of the older hands are perhaps past their sell by date.
Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski is out of contract in the summer, when he turns 38, while Barca have yet to decide if they will pay Manchester United to keep on-loan winger Marcus Rashford permanently. Neither started in the Spanish capital, along with the injured Raphinha, unable to play in either leg. Injuries have plagued the 29-year-old this season, raising concerns Barca may have seen the best from him last year.
Ferran Torres, Ronald Araujo and on loan defender Joao Cancelo's futures are also uncertain beyond the summer. Although Barca's financial situation is no longer as worrying as it once was, the club cannot spend big on superstar reinforcements. Despite their elimination last season Barca swept the domestic treble and a wave of optimism carried the club into the summer and Flick is looking for a similar reaction in La Liga.