Just five days later, Barcelona would face Manchester City in the knockout stage of the 1997–98 UEFA Champions League. However, in today's Clásico, Barcelona fielded all their star players: Rivaldo, Figo, Luis Enrique, Guardiola, and others.
They definitely held nothing back, and this had nothing to do with being five points behind Real Madrid in the league. It wasn't just about narrowing the gap; it was pure competitive spirit—to crush their opponent!
This is what El Clásico means—the derby that represents the voice, pride, and identity of an entire region.
Even though the situation was favorable for City, some of the players were naturally unhappy. To them, it felt as if Barcelona was looking down on them, signaling that Manchester City was merely a stepping stone on the way to a semi-final ticket.
What shocked everyone the most in that year's Champions League was that all Italian teams failed to qualify for the knockout stage—they all fell at the group stage!
