A first of two meetings between the European giants showcased how far they have to go and not what they're capable of achieving on the game's brightest stage.
Javier Tebas says he believes Real Madrid president Florentino Perez prompted outgoing Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu to discuss the project openly at his resignation.
Josep Bartomeu's demise at Barcelona appeared to be inevitable, but his parting gift was to shoehorn the club into a competition that doesn't yet exist and to deflect from the chaos that unfolded under his watch.