In the aftermath of Real Madrid’s remarkable protests over referee appointments in the build-up to the Copa del Rey final, Barcelona was quiet.
As the Copa del Rey final approaches, Real Madrid and Barcelona, two very different club and philosophies on display in Seville.
According to reports from Diario Sport, the Catalan club has purposely stayed out of the fight, viewing Madrid’s antics as an attempt to distract from the football and, therefore, the officials.
The mess began with an even messier approach.
Ref Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea answered a question about pressure from Real Madrid TV in his press conference before the final.
Madrid put in a last-minute request to change officiating.
They boycotted all pre-final events.
They even threatened not to participate in the match, which Barça found anyway surreal.
While Los Blancos ramped the conflict higher, Barcelona’s delegation attended every official event as per the protocol in Seville, including the traditional pre-final dinner, without comment.
Internally at Barcelona, they feel like Madrid’s theatricals are trying to influence the referee and sully the show; they have asked players and staff to ignore the surrounding drama and only focus on the subject at hand; clearly, this is the mind game of Barcelona’s plan.
To respect the institutions at play, give Madrid no indications to turn the drama into more drama, and to allow Madrid’s behaviour to speak for itself.
With the final approaching, both teams have brought very different approaches to their own games.
While Madrid’s protests risk overshadowing their sport, Barcelona stands quietly assured in their professionalism, determination to win by means of performance and not by mind games.
Barcelona’s dismissal of motions may ultimately be the most decisive plan in a final match in which the mood alone can be more decisive than tactics.
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