FC Barcelona secured a spot in the Copa del Rey final in a nail-biting match against Atlético de Madrid. The young Lamine Yamal was the standout figure of the game, with a stellar performance that tipped the balance in favor of Hansi Flick's team.
However, the night also had a tense moment that could've changed everything. In an off-the-ball play, the Barça striker was the victim of a harsh tackle that left the entire Camp Nou in silence.
A Tackle That Could've Ended Very Badly
Everything happened in the first half. Right after assisting Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal received a dangerous tackle that left his ankle bleeding. It was a reckless, unnecessary action that went unpunished by the referee.
The blow was directly to the right ankle. Although the Barça youth player was able to continue, the scare was enormous. From the bench, the tension was evident as the medical staff checked the player's condition.
The Author of the Tackle Was Clément Lenglet. The center-back, on loan from Barça to Atlético, arrived late to the challenge and left his mark on Yamal's ankle. An action that has ultimately sealed his immediate future with the Barça club.
Lenglet already had no place in Flick's squad, and this action seems to have definitively closed the door on a return. In the Barça locker room, what happened hasn't been well received either. The feeling is that the French defender acted with too much harshness against a teammate.
Simeone Wants Him for His Defense
Despite the incident, Diego Simeone has asked his management to negotiate Lenglet's signing. The Argentine coach believes that the Frenchman can bring leadership and experience to a defensive line that will undergo changes in the summer.
Atlético is willing to negotiate with Barça to permanently acquire the player. His performance, beyond the episode with Yamal, has convinced the red-and-white coaching staff. At the Metropolitano, they value his commitment and tactical adaptation.
Lenglet's loan to Atlético was already pointing to being permanent. Flick doesn't want him in his squad, and the Barça club needs to free up salary mass as soon as possible. After this controversy, the outcome is even clearer: Lenglet won't wear the Barça jersey again.
In Camp Nou offices, they are already working on an agreed exit. The club wants to finalize his transfer in the coming weeks, even for a low figure, to close the chapter as soon as possible.
Tension in the locker room Over the Incident
Within the Barça locker room, Lenglet's gesture hasn't been well received. Some players consider it was an unnecessary and dangerous tackle. Especially those closest to Yamal don't understand how a Barça player—although on loan—acted with such harshness against one of the team's gems.
Hansi Flick avoided making public statements, but privately he has already made it clear that he doesn't want to count on him again. The coach believes that Lenglet doesn't align with the project's philosophy.
Everything points to Clément Lenglet becoming a new Atlético de Madrid player this summer. Barça won't hinder his departure, and Simeone has already given the green light. At 29 years old, the Frenchman will have a new opportunity in LaLiga, away from Camp Nou and close to a coach who trusts him.
His story with Barça ends after this last episode. Although it wasn't the ideal farewell, Lenglet's path will continue at the Metropolitano.