With nerves of steel, Koeman did not listen to the fatalists and maintained the system that has pushed Barça in the last part of the season. Three centrals, with the ownership of Piqué; De Jong in the center of the field and Messi and Griezmann in the forward to the detriment of Dembélé. This was the one by one of Barça:
Ter Stegen. He fulfilled, although his doubts are always observed to play in the open field when the defense is ahead. With the ball at the feet, on the other hand, it is very safe. He had no job. Some bad start missed and a shot stopped to Raúl García.
Mingueza. His goal, turned into an obsession, was not to make mistakes from his right-back position. He did it and, in his first final, he got A's and took the title.
Pique. Seeing Araujo warming up from almost the beginning of the game was not very encouraging. But it was just a precaution. Piqué knew that he had to endure the 90 minutes, he was superior to Williams and, from his security and his character, Barça took a step forward.
Lenglet. He also prioritized not to make mistakes and to keep it simple. Perfect. His level has improved in recent months.
Dest. It lacks brilliance to unbalance but it is persistent and guarantees pressure and intensity. It has a lot of presence.
De Jong. Memorable match. He not only assisted the first goal and scored the second. He was in all areas of the field and showed that having him as a center-back, with this youth and physical exuberance, is not enough. Koeman has made him much more of a player.
Busquets. You know the endings by heart. Perfect in the cut and the distribution to two touches. Outstanding.
Sunrise. Awesome season. Barça survived in the Cup thanks to him in Granada and, in the final, he played loose and gave 2-0 and 4-0 assists. Fantastic.
Pedri. Sparkly. Move the team with the clairvoyance of a veteran. At 18, playing a game at the level he did, an exhibition, says a lot about him.
Messi. He put the finishing touch to the game with two goals, one of them spectacular. With a big player pause. The 4-0 was his lifelong connection with Jordi Alba.
Griezmann. As in the Super Cup, he showed that he knows how to play the finals. He made the most important goal, 1-0, and moved intelligently throughout the game. He knew how to wait well for his moment. He was able to close the game with the fifth, but it was canceled. Great game.
In the second part they came out.
Araújo. He had been warming up the whole game in a preventive way, but he didn't come out almost until the end because Piqué was fine.
Ilaix. Playing a few minutes in the final was a well-deserved reward for his work in the last two months. He enjoyed like the rest of the homegrown players in the field.
Braithwaite. In the few minutes he was on the field, he was seen. He caused fouls and wanted a goal, but had no chances.
Dembélé. His substitution was a surprise.