On an unforgettable, historic Catalan night, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey after a thrilling 3-2 victory over their arch-rivals Real Madrid in a match that went into extra time, filled with tense moments of excitement and suspense right up until the final seconds.
The match, held as part of the highly anticipated El Clásico, was a roller-coaster ride, but the final word belonged to defender Jules Kounde, who fired a rocket into the net in the 116th minute of extra time, clinching the title for the Blaugrana amidst hysterical celebrations from the Catalan fans.
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However, behind this epic victory, according to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, an unexpected star emerged: Eric García, who came on as a substitute and delivered a brilliant performance in midfield, becoming the surprise package of the night.
From Substitute to Tactical Savior
With Frenkie de Jong and Pedri out due to injury or fatigue, coach Hansi Flick faced a dilemma in organizing the midfield under Real Madrid’s intense pressure. His sudden decision to bring on Eric García completely shifted the momentum.
Despite being primarily a defender, Eric excelled as a maestro with impressive composure. His intelligent movement, precise passing, and ability to impose calm and structure in midfield made him one of the standout performers of the match. Moreover, he showcased exceptional versatility, smoothly transitioning between roles center-back, midfielder, and even full-back when needed.
Flick Admits: “I Almost Made an Unforgivable Mistake”
After the match, Flick made a striking admission regarding the transfer negotiations from last January, stating:
“I was very close to letting Eric leave for Girona… but the talks suddenly fell through, and today I’m extremely glad they did.”
The German coach went on to express his deep admiration for the player’s display:
“At this legendary level, it’s impossible to leave him out of the starting lineup again. He has proven his quality to everyone and shown us just how wrong we were to underestimate him.”
