A Copa which does not save Barça's season

A Copa which does not save Barça's season

Lluís Mascaró

Director de Información Deportiva de Prensa Ibérica

Messi volvió a ser el futbolista más decisivo del Barça y sentenció la final en la primera parte
Messi volvió a ser el futbolista más decisivo del Barça y sentenció la final en la primera parte | sport

There was no surprise. Barcelona won the Copa del Rey. The ninth (and last) trophy of the Luis Enrique era. A trophy they were obliged to win to not end the season empty handed but which doesn't serve to forget the disappointment of La Liga and the Champions League. 

Barça had few problems getting the better of an Alaves side who used violence to try to stop the Blaugrana. When Messi was activated, the resistance of the Basques, pushed back in their area, ended. The Argentine crack decided the final in the first half and the second 45 minutes became an anecdote. 

With this Copa (a minor title, I insist) Barça close Luis Enrique's three years in charge with a trophy. It's been a cycle which has seen the team go from more to less (starting with a treble, followed by a double and ending with the Copa) and which has generated a lot of doubts about the future of the project. Will Ernesto Valverde be capable of changing the dynamic? 

CONFORMISM? NO, GRACIAS

To think that winning the cup resolves all problems would be a huge error. It would be to fall into the conformism which has been instilled by president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Barça have to demand much more. With the best forward line in the world and the best player in the world, Barça have a double obligation: to play much better football and to win important titles. 

La Liga was lost on the final day. But everyone knows it escaped before then, due to inconsistency and a failure to win at places like Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga. And the Champions League, aside from the miracle against PSG, was disappointing. Above all because Madrid play in the final against Juventus next weekend. 

There's a lot of work to do this summer. A lot. Robert Fernandez and Alber Soler must deliver. They've been left without excuses.