Finally got around to the Copa Final. Wonderful atmosphere at the Wanda to start off the match. Really shows how big the cup is in Spain. Though perhaps the Bernabeu would have been a better setting with Barça supporters' shirts being confiscated. Anyway, this edition was the Copa don Andres. Thrilled to see him score a nice goal like that and he had a good match overall. He nearly had a second goal and did well playing in Alba on the second goal. Definitely still has it to keep going, but I understand the move to China. Globetrotters stuff at times with Messi of course at it as always pulling the strings and scoring. People talk about the season he's having in comparison to other players, but none of those other players are the playmaker he is and yet he puts up the same goalscoring numbers. On top of that none of those other guys would deliver this sort of performance. Suarez had a good match and was competitive as he always is. Cillessen was excellent making a nice save at one stage and of course providing that ball to Coutinho on the first goal. Sadly I would think he's gone in the Summer as someone will surely come in for him as good as he's been for us. Also want to highlight Alba's assist. Excellent no-look back pass to Messi. That's at least his sixth assist of Messi this season and he still probably has the most assists of any LB in a major league for the past how many years. Still you rarely hear about him.
I have to note that the atmosphere amongst the players still looks very strong. Sure there are closer relationships within the group, but overall there still seems to be a really strong team element. Coutinho rightly being given the penalty when Suarez was chasing a hat trick and with Messi chasing records says a lot. Then you've also got the players and their kids and their families after the match. While that may not be unheard of, it doesn't seem as prevalent at other clubs. Part of that is an age thing, but I think the atmosphere is important for the squad to get on and do their jobs.
Denis is the best Suarez at barca.
No, and as the kids like to say "and it's not even close." Go watch the Copa Final and how he gamed Mercado, who should have been sent off in the first half as a result (and who should have been sent off in the second as well, but that's not the point). Suarez started the season a bit slow and I'd have liked more from him in the CL, but he's had a very good season overall and there's still time for him to get thirty goals in the league (though I don't think he will). Ideally he'll be around for a while yet even if a replacement comes in, but I don't think he'd accept a backup role when the time comes.