After Barcelona's dismal 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, Spanish media scrutinized the team's performance, particularly in light of Marcus Rashford's absence due to injury. Rashford, who is currently on loan from Manchester United, was sidelined after sustaining a knock in a previous match against Mallorca. The defeat was particularly humiliating as it occurred in the first leg of the semi-final, with Atletico Madrid scoring all four goals before the half-time mark.

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick faced significant criticism, as commentators pointed to this match as potentially the worst performance he has overseen since taking charge of the club. The absence of key players, including Pedri and Raphinha, exacerbated the situation, leaving the team struggling to mount a competitive challenge against Atletico. Flick remains optimistic and pledged to motivate his squad to recover for the return leg next month, emphasizing the need to regroup and focus on their remaining chances in the tournament.

The fall from grace for Barcelona has been alarming, especially for a team that has historically dominated Spanish football. This latest defeat has raised questions about the current squad's resilience and the tactical decisions made by the coaching staff. As they look to the second leg of the semi-final, significant changes may be required if Barcelona hopes to overturn the deficit and prevent further humiliation in front of their fans.