Barça prove their mettle in the Champions League
As was to be expected, the Champions League last 16 first leg match in Newcastle proved an arduous task. Barça found matching the high intensity and pace of the home side difficult in many spells of the game, yet once again managed to prove their mettle. Despite conceding in the 86th minute, Flick's side came through again with their notable capacity for resilience, forcing a penalty in the final play that Lamine Yamal converted to take the tie back to Barcelona on an even footing.
Ability to react
This was not the first time, not at all in fact. In five of the nine games the blaugranes have played in the premier club competition in Europe, they have at least managed to avoid losing despite conceding first. The draw achieved at St. James' Park is the latest example of how they can react to adversity.
They first showed it in Belgium. Against Club Brugge, the home side went ahead not once, not twice, but three times. The blaugranes equalised every time, with the final score ending up 3-3. Then in the League Phase matchday six fixture, Eintracht Frankfurt went ahead through Knauff (21') and had a half-time lead. An unexpected brace by Kounde (50' and 53') helped the comeback.
Top eight finish due to comebacks
More of the same in Prague the next gameweek. Kusej put Slavia ahead early on, and although Fermín scored two quick goals to come back, a Lewandowski own goal meant it was 2-2 at the break. However Olmo and Lewandowski himself ended up sealing a 2-4 win. In the final gameweek of the League Phase, Copenhagen were the visitors, with the blaugranes looking to score as many goals as possible to ensure a place in the top eight.
And they managed it, yes, but via a comeback. Dadason put the Danes ahead after four minutes and although Barça were losing at half-time, they reacted superbly. Four goals in the second half and fifth place to avoid the play-off round. There were no points at stake now in Newcastle, but it means it is all to play for over 90 or 120 minutes at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Latest goal scored this season
What's more, they achieved it with the latest goal scored so far this season. Lamine Yamal's penalty went past Ramsdale after 95'50'', five seconds later than the finish by Ferran against Atlético in LaLiga, and within a minute of the goal by Lamine Yamal in the Copa del Rey in Santander.
It was also the seventh goal in added time this season, and Barça have scored 15.5% of their goals after the 80th minute: 17 of the 110 goals scored this season have been scored towards the end of matches. Stats that support the idea that this team keeps going until the very end. That resilience has become one of their hallmarks in Europe.