At a glance
- FC Barcelona’s curse in the Champions League continued on Tuesday through a 3-2 aggregate defeat in the quarterfinals to Atletico Madrid.
- Gavi was a standout performer in the 2-0 win on the night, however.
- Post-match, he lamented the loss to Mexican television.
FC Barcelona star Gavi suggested a lack of experience across his young team could’ve been a factor in its painful Champions League quarterfinal loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Trailing 2-0 after losing by that score at the Spotify Camp Nou in the first leg, Barca quickly equalised with two goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres inside 24 minutes.
Shortly after, however, Antoine Griezmann caught the Catalans out on a counter attack. It resulted in Ademola Lookman pulling one back, and Hansi Flick’s men failed to level the 3-2 aggregate scoreline.
The Blaugrana suffered a painful continental defeat once more. The chase for a first UCL crown since 2015 continues, and Flick’s men were left to lament what could’ve been.
“Maybe they have a little experience in these games. Experience counts,” Gavi said to TNT Sports Mexico post-match. “Today we ate them with potatoes the whole game. But in the end you get one, they score a goal, and then they decide the tie and you go home.”
Gavi believes Barcelona played well
“Football is decided in the details,” the number 6 added. “We were hot, we know that we are better than them. But in the end this is about scoring goals and winning, and that’s how it’s been.”
Atleti swamped Pedri in the midfield amid Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez leaving a lot to be desired. Yet Gavi put on a standout performance in the Metropolitano in one of few positive highlights for Culers.
Boasting 94% accuracy on 44 completed passes, he also won three tackles and two aerial duels despite his small frame according to WhoScored?.
The decision undergo surgery after a repeat of his knee injury has proven to be a masterstroke. And the 21-year-old is now mounting a strong case to be a starter for Flick and head to the World Cup with Spain.
