In May 2019, the Liverpool from Jurgüen Klopp was in history by beating Barcelona of Ernesto Valverde by 4 to 0 in the semifinal of return of the Champions League, after losing 0-3 in the first leg that had been played in the Camp Nou. That game meant a break for the Catalan team, the last consequence of which occurred in January of this year, when their coach, worn out by that situation and beaten by elimination in the Spanish Super Cup, agreed to his disengagement.
That key, as it happens in all hand to hand, left two faces: one of excitement and the other of dismay. It was the English team that celebrated in Anfield before its public and this week Joel Matip, defender who was a starter in that game, told an unknown anecdote that happened after the final whistle.
"When I entered the room to do the doping control, there was a boy sitting and quite depressed: Lionel Messi. You know others from playing against them, but it's not like you sit next to them every day in a small room, like you go for coffee. Everyone was celebrating and I was sitting in a cubicle with Messi"He related to the German site 11 Freunde.
The Liverpool managed to overcome a 0-3 in the second half, after the first half ended 1 to 0 with the goal of Diviock Origi. It was again the Belgian and Gini Wijnaldum, on two occasions, those who closed the win and the ticket to the final.
Therefore, Joel Matip It came from completing a feat on the green lawn and celebrating with his teammates: “After the game, we lined up and hugged facing the stands and together with the fans we sang You Will Never Walk Alone (iconic Liverpool song). That was one of the most beautiful moments of my career., perhaps on the same level as my debut with Schalke in Munich ”.
About that game, Valverde declared in December: “It was an important blow. We bow our heads. It was very hard. We had the final in hand. It was one of the hardest times of the year. That illusion is generated that when you don't get it turns into frustration. ”
That party marked a break for both casts. Liverpool was crowned champion, defeating Tottenham 1-0 in the final and is currently the leader of the Premier League With an abysmal difference of 25 points over his escort, Manchester City, when there are only 9 dates left, although due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is unknown to know when the event will continue to be held. For his part, Barcelona could win the 2018/19 League, but this did not take away the bitterness caused by frustration in the Champions League and after a change of coach, he still has not been able to find a level of play according to the club's budget.