What was not seen from Barça-Olympiacos: Montjuïc rebels, Fermín´s fury, and life is easier without Gil Manzano

In a more heated atmosphere than usual, the blaugrana fans responded strongly to the push from the Olympiacos supporters, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of great European matches.

A stand that responded to the Greek challenge

Those attending the match were surprised to see how about 2,800 Olympiacos fans occupied the upper part of one of the goals. With incessant chants, the Greek fans tried to impose their presence, but their energy served as a stimulus for the rest of the stadium, which responded by cheering with more intensity than in other matches. The crowd´s push was fueled by the team´s dynamic play. The joy of Dro and the passion of Fermín ignited the stands, which kept calling for the creation of a Grada d’Animació. Although it is not feasible in Montjuïc due to structural issues, the management is already working to make the Grada 1957 a reality at the Spotify Camp Nou, composed of 1,200 young people aged 18 to 25 who will bring life to the new stadium. Meanwhile, the fans are spread across different areas of the venue, cheering loudly and ensuring that the Greek voices remained in the background. The team, aware of that support, responded with effort, commitment, and dedication, something that was rewarded with a general ovation from the stands.

A night without Gil Manzano, a calm night

The match also left a striking detail: Hansi Flick experienced a much calmer game on the sidelines. The coach achieved his goal of maintaining composure and, although he protested some specific actions, his behavior was more serene. Having a UEFA referee instead of a Spanish one —and especially not having Jesús Gil Manzano— helped everything flow without unnecessary tensions. Flick was particularly close to Dro, whom he applauded enthusiastically for his involvement in the pressing. The team´s intensity was one of the standout points: an aggressive, hardworking, and focused Barça, with an indefatigable Fermín who threw himself to the ground in every challenge, perfectly reflecting the spirit that the German coach wants to impose. The coach also remained calm in the face of the two VAR decisions —one penalty against and another in favor— later acknowledging that the video assistant referee had acted correctly in both situations. With the score widening and the game flowing, Flick enjoyed a calm second half, even listening to his name being chanted by the fans.

Controversies, applause, and a Pedri from another galaxy

At the end of the match, the German coach wanted to show empathy with his rival counterpart: "I understand them", he replied when asked about Mendilibar´s complaints. However, he preferred not to enter into controversies. The Basque coach, visibly upset, criticized "the people up top who decide while eating and drinking", referring to the refereeing decisions that, in his opinion, harmed his team. Beyond the controversy, Pedri received the biggest ovation of the night when substituted. His performance was outstanding again, with fluid and creative football that makes a difference in every match. His performance is already a constant, and his influence is undeniable.

The final silence of the Greek hell

Despite the defeat, the Olympiacos fans continued to cheer until the last minutes, even with the score reflecting a clear 6-1. However, when the final whistle blew, the fervor completely faded. The Greek supporters remained silent as the stadium emptied, processing a tough defeat that erased any hint of the dreaded "Greek hell." Montjuïc, for one night, was a party. And Barça, with grit, energy, and without refereeing shocks, reconnected with its people.