The Cup final needs no words: Barcelona vs Real Madrid. The final was played in Zaragoza and the Catalans prevailed 2-1. It was great. To a point.
Real Madrid finished empty-handed this season. A disaster… well, Di Stefano was the first to pay for it. But with or without him, this was not a champion squad – too many players aged. There was need of a goalkeeper – neither of the three at hand was all that reliable anymore. There was a problem with the imports – the Durch Metgod was chosen over English striker Cunningham. Nobody doubted Stielike, but the other two… not only one had to sit on the bench, but both reached their limits. Of course, playing against Barcelona brought the best of everybody, but the enemy won.
Barcelona should have been happy – ending the season with a trophy, and a trophy won against the archenemy. But once the fest was over, sober reality had to be considered: Maradona paired more than well with Schuster, but both clashed with coach Lattek. There were stars in the team, but at almost any post the number ones played for other clubs. It was saving grace, not dominating season… so familiar.
Well, Barcelona won the Cup, the feelings were mixed – at best – and changes were coming.