Reality Check: Would a solitary La Liga title satisfy Barcelona after Thursday’s Copa wake-up call?

Barcelona’s 17-wins-in-18 streak came to a jarring halt at the Metropolitano on Thursday night, as Atlético Madrid dumped the Blaugrana out of the Copa del Rey and forced the club—and its supporters—to confront an uncomfortable question: is domestic supremacy alone enough for a side that measures itself by European and global standards?

The defeat leaves Xavi Hernández’s team clinging to one remaining trophy path in 2025-26: La Liga. Thanks to Real Madrid’s erratic form, Barça still hold top spot and the tie-breaker advantage, making them firm favorites to lift the Spanish championship in May. Yet the manner of the cup exit—described within the club as a “painful reality check”—has cast fresh doubt on whether this squad has the depth and resilience to add further silverware.

Inside the dressing-room the mood is reportedly one of defiance rather than despair. Players believe the league run-in favors them, with key head-to-heads at the Montjuïc and a manageable calendar of fixtures. Critics, however, point to the team’s reliance on a narrow core of starters and the lack of a proven goal-scoring alternative when the front line misfires.

For a fanbase accustomed to doubles and trebles, the prospect of finishing with only La Liga invites fierce debate. Some argue that reclaiming the domestic crown after last season’s near-miss would validate the club’s rebuild; others contend that failure to progress in Europe or the Copa signals stagnation rather than growth.

The coming weeks will determine which narrative prevails. First up is a league visit to a relegation-threatened side, the type of fixture Barça have largely handled during their recent surge. Slip-ups, though, will be punished by a Madrid side that has narrowed the gap to two points with a match in hand.

Thursday’s loss may ultimately be remembered as the night Barcelona’s multi-title ambitions evaporated—or the moment that sharpened minds for a decisive league sprint. Either way, the pressure is squarely on the Catalans to prove that one trophy can still constitute a successful season.