Barcelona’s Camp Nou gave its verdict in three simple words
Camp Nou turned into a rallying cry after the derby, with Barcelona’s fans and players already looking toward a defining European night.
As soon as referee José Hernández blew for full time, the players went to thank the fans, heading toward both ends of the stadium to celebrate the win over Espanyol together. First came a few chants aimed at the blue-and-white club, but the focus quickly shifted to Tuesday’s Champions League tie, when Barcelona must overturn a 2-0 deficit.
“Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!” the entire Camp Nou began chanting in unison – with a record crowd since the return to the renovated stadium, more than 60,000 fans – as the players jumped euphorically and urged on the supporters, fully aware they are facing one of the most decisive moments of the season.
The bond between the team and the fans was absolute, as it has been throughout the campaign. In fact, there had already been several nods during the game to the tie against Atlético, but it was not until the end of the derby that there was a true explosion in the stands, answered by applause from the players.
Title celebrations for Barça?
In truth, it felt almost like a prelude to the LaLiga title celebrations: right now, the path to retaining the crown looks completely clear, with a nine-point lead over Real Madrid and seven games left to play. So much so that Barcelona only needs to win its three remaining games at Camp Nou to be crowned champion.
The fans’ chants continued for more than five minutes, and the players responded with visible emotion. It was a sendoff that will surely have further fueled a team growing more convinced by the day that the comeback is within reach.
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