"The German coach admitted that slow starts have hurt his side more than once this season. We didn't play well as a team. And when you don't play like that, you don't play well. There was a lack of pressing. Sometimes it's good to learn a lesson like that. Then we played better. But we'll fight. We have two 45-minute halves to score two goals in each half."
"Look, when I say I'm disappointed, maybe that's not right. I'm proud of these players this season. We've had injuries. And that's part of the game. Sometimes you lose. Today was a wake-up call, a tough defeat. And we'll be back. We have to accept this lesson. We didn't play well from the first minute. We have a young team, but that's no excuse. Then, the second half was better."
Barcelona suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final after conceding decisive early damage. The team struggled to find rhythm, intensity, coordination, and pressing in the opening stages, allowing Atletico to take full advantage. Slow starts have repeatedly hurt the side this season. The team improved in the second half but could not reduce the deficit. A Pau Cubarsi goal was disallowed following a long VAR review, prompting frustration over the decision and communication. Injuries and a young squad were cited as ongoing challenges, but the team remains determined to respond in the return leg.
Read at Barca Universal
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