Barcelona’s incredible comeback, which began when Xavi declared he was leaving at the end of the season, proceeded at a rapid speed when they defeated Atletico Madrid 3-0.

After defeating Inter Milan 3-1 on Wednesday, Diego Simeone’s team had only lost two games at home all season. However, after failing to score after Joao Felix’s first goal, they looked exhausted and disoriented in the second half.

He had to score the goal for Barcelona to take the lead at the 38-minute mark. Despite having a contract with Atletico until 2029, the Portuguese attacker will never be allowed to return. Every move he made was applauded, both before and after he composedly converted from Robert Lewandowski’s deft cross following Ilkay Gundogan’s explosive run.

Joao Felix didn’t rejoice since he was too near to the loudest Atletico supporters, but the damage had already been done. Atletico had a number of half-chances lost in the opening frame. Pablo Barrios missed the mark with a header, while Alvaro Morata missed one as well.

After the break, Koke came on not too much behind Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann, who had replaced some of the heroes from Wednesday night that Simeone had left on the bench. Nothing was altered. In minute 47, Barcelona scored their second goal. Lewandowski was put through by Raphinha, who then skillfully turned to score his 13th goal of the year off the far post.

His form has returned to what it was at the beginning of the previous season, which is encouraging for Barcelona’s remaining games. He was not done making an impact however; Fermin Lopez headed in the third goal after he crossed from the right.

Of Simeone’s five modifications, four had already been made. When he substituted Saul, he was playing his final card. The unfocused midfield player had a chance to cut the deficit but missed the target.

Throughout the match, the Atletico coach made several system changes, but his players appeared more perplexed by the switch from 5-3-2 to 4-4-2 and back again than the opposition. 

Aside from the last-minute Saul opportunity, Atletico had not given Barcelona too much trouble. Although Marc Andre ter Stegen did a great job deflecting a shot from Marcos Llorente, the German goalkeeper had no other options.

It was another victory over Simeone for Xavi. Five times since he became the Barcelona coach, he has defeated him. After losing the previous three games by a score of 1-0, this loss will hurt much more because it happened at home and was so decisive.

The sole setback of Xavi’s evening was receiving a red card in the first half. He was already under arrest for disobedience, and he was dismissed after he spoke too much to the fourth official. He’ll serve another suspension; since he became coach of Barcelona, no coach has received warnings as frequently as he will.

The Atletico fans cheered on Jan Oblak’s goal until the final siren, even if the score was appalling. That’s what an incredible Champions League last-16 victory over Inter can accomplish. 

The supporters were relieved by the victory, and it is undeniable that Simeone would do anything to win the Champions League for the first time. 

Will they have to give up a top four finish, is the question. With this outcome, they finish fifth and are not in the running for the Champions League going into the international football break. To be in it the following season, they could need to win it.