Football was certainly the winner on Tuesday night after Champions League holders, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich played out a semi-final that even surpassed Barca’s against Inter last season for sheer craziness and entertainment value.
Two teams that were willing to stand toe-to-toe in every department and to give absolutely everything in their quest to get a decent first-leg advantage.
There was seemingly no thought given to any consequences of such a high-octane way of playing, but far from
apologising after the game, both Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany said there’ll be more of the same in the second leg.
Hansi Flick is evidently cut from the same cloth, and when Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are in full flight, there’s no better sight in football for culers.
It’s an absolute joy for all concerned when football is played with such wanton abandon, though still within the confines of team shape and discipline.
What was so good about the performances of Luis Diaz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the night was the way in which they kept things simple, but were direct, dynamic and dangerous when they needed to be.
Of course both players could have ended up at Barcelona. The Catalans were keen on Diaz last summer but were priced out of a move and saw the Colombia star leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich instead.
In the meantime, Barca brought in Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan. The Englishman has done a good job but looks to be heading away this summer, with finances still an issue at Barca.
Kvaratskhelia has also been linked with Barcelona in recent years, his agent even claiming in 2024 there was interest in the winger. The Georgian went on to join PSG, while Barca signed Dani Olmo, and the rest is history.
Yet Barca now head towards another transfer window with a left winger very much on the wanted list and their ability to bring in the biggest names still very much in doubt.
The club’s financial situation means low-cost options are now being looked at, with names such as Ez Abde and Jan Virgili being bandied about or possibly even another Rashford loan.
Making the right decision will be crucial, something Hansi Flick has made crystal clear already: “There are two things I want in life. Firstly, that we win the Champions League.
“We have a good team for the next years, but we must make the right decisions in the transfer periods – they have to be perfect.”
So who would be the perfect winger for Barca this summer if money were no object? Share your thoughts and let us know what you think in the comments below.
