Dani Olmo enthusiastically celebrated Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup title as behind him, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Eric Garcia and Pau Victor pointed their index fingers at each other’s wrists in a gesture of asking for the time — Olmo’s goal celebration.
Yamal then pushed Olmo towards the photographers so that he could have his moment and, with a half smile, he made the celebratory gesture he shares with NBA player Damian Lillard, then reached for the shield on his jersey, gave it a kiss and with two fingers made the symbol of staying.
The message was clear: Olmo is remaining with Barcelona. Afterwards, his partner-in-drama Pau Victor sought him out and they embraced. The Spanish Super Cup had been won 5-2 against Real Madrid and, more importantly, their futures at the club are seemingly assured.
Olmo and Victor travelled to Saudi Arabia almost a week ago not knowing if they would be able to play or if they would return to Europe knowing that they had to leave the club. They travelled without being registered, their last hope being a decision from the CSD (Consejo Superior de Deportes) that would allow them to stay at Barca and not have to look for another team.
Barca thrashed Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
The non-registration of the two players had left the Catalan club’s board, and especially Joan Laporta, shaken. But finally, on the same day that Hansi Flick’s team played their semi-final against Athletic Club, it was announced that that the CSD had granted a precautionary measure, allowing the pair to continue at Barcelona.
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Amid of all this chaos, Barcelona played three times, and Flick was able to create an oasis of calm on the pitch that kept the outside noise away from the sporting operation. Against both UD Barbastro in the Copa del Rey and against Athletic Club, Barcelona recorded comfortable victories, but the icing on the cake was undoubtedly Sunday’s final against Real Madrid.
Dani Olmo celebrates with the Super Cup trophy (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The previous Clasico in October was one of Flick’s best games of the season, beating Carlo Ancelotti’s side 4-0, though it also heralded the start of a poor run in La Liga. But Christmas came at a good time for the squad, and they look re-energised, as Real Madrid found out.
This is the first time Barcelona have scored at least four goals in consecutive games against their arch-rivals and from the start of the match you could sense that this was going to be Flick’s masterpiece in his time as Barcelona’s coach. The team understood what the German was looking for and applied it to perfection.
It didn’t start ideally, though, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the opener in the fifth minute on a counter attack. But that didn’t unsettle Barcelona, who bounced back with a goal from Yamal that was reminiscent of Lionel Messi at his best.
Yamal’s goal was reminiscent of Lionel Messi (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
This was followed by an effort from Robert Lewandowski from the penalty spot, before Raphinha and Alejandro Balde made it 4-1 at half-time. Raphinha was on target again in the second half, leaving Ancelotti’s team reeling. Despite a red card for Wojciech Szczęsny — who started in goal ahead of Inaki Pena thanks to a great performance against Athletic Club in the semi-finals — Barcelona did not suffer. Rodrygo scored from the resulting free kick on the hour mark but Madrid never recovered from the trauma of the opening 50 minutes.
At 17 years of age, Yamal is already a player who, with performances like this one, can fight for the Ballon d’Or, as surreal as that may seem. In Barcelona, some wonder if he is better than Messi was at the same age.
But the victory was not only thanks to a brilliant Yamal, but also thanks to Balde and Raphinha, plus the experience of Lewandowski — provider of a very good assist to Yamal to make it 1-1. Gavi started in place of Olmo and also played a key role, including winning the penalty. Pedri, meanwhile, kept the team calm and Marc Casado was as accurate as ever in the pivot role.
Lewandowski registered a goal and an assist (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
In the second half the additions of Pena, who made two good saves, and Ronald Araujo, who once again neutralised Vinicius Junior, were key in defence along with Pau Cubarsi. It is not yet a year since he made his debut for the club yet he is already such a key figure in the side.
Elements of the post-game celebrations were surreal. This Barcelona squad is so young that instead of the players’ children joining in, it was the parents who came out. The highlight was the appearance of Robert Cubarsi, Pau’s father, who added to the joyous scene by sliding on his knees.
Flick has brought calm to a club that lives in constant chaos. He puts out fires with a slow and relaxed discourse and a calmness that he is able to transmit to his players. The squad was affected by the Pau Victor and Olmo situation but Flick was the insulating material that kept them protected from what was happening.
When the German arrived at the club, he noticed a tense atmosphere caused by several unpleasant situations that had arisen in the previous season. He took it upon himself to be a close, communicative and reassuring figure. He told Barcelona’s players that this was just a job and that it was to be enjoyed, and that the day they stopped enjoying it, it would be time to leave. He has created a climate in the dressing room where players are enjoying playing football again.
The importance of this victory can be interpreted from the tears of Rafa Yuste and Joan Laporta after the match. Fireworks were set off in the Barcelona streets on Sunday night. The Spanish Super Cup may be the most minor title of the season, but beating Real Madrid is always a moment worth celebrating.
(Top photo: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
