Barcelona manager Hansi Flick believes his team did enough to advance to the Champions League semi-finals, following their elimination by Atletico Madrid. Despite a 3-2 aggregate loss, Flick stated that over the two legs, Barcelona warranted a place in the next round.
Addressing the press after the match, Flick was asked about his message to the players following their significant disappointment. “Like we always do. We decide what situation we will show them and what we have to make better. We played a fantastic first half. The goal for them was not expected, but it’s like football. When we see both matches, we deserved to stay in the semi-final. We have to score more goals, but that’s life.”
Focus Shifts to La Liga Title for Flick
When questioned about the key element missing for Barcelona in European competition after another close exit, Flick was reluctant to provide a definitive answer. “We have to win La Liga. We have to show the attitude mentality. Of course we are disappointed, the fans, players, coaches, for everyone, it’s a big dream to win the Champions League. We are on that way. We have a young team, and we will improve next season.”
Flick expressed no particular preference for winning the league title in the upcoming El Clasico match, emphasizing the ultimate goal of securing the championship. “For me, I don’t care about when we will win it, I want to win it. I don’t care what matchday. It’s tough. I think everyone really believed in that [comeback], that we can make it happen. But it was very different in the end.”
Flick: Fans Are Proud of the Team
The Barcelona coach expressed general satisfaction with his team’s attitude and suggested that the fans would share this sentiment. “We analyse everything, when something happens like that, they take the next step. As I said, we have a young team. We have to also speak about what they are doing, the fans are proud of the team. We work with the players on that. I know it’s disappointing. It’s football, it’s like that.”
Following the first leg, Flick had voiced strong criticism regarding a penalty decision. However, he chose not to comment on the referee’s decision to send off Eric Garcia, stating, “I don’t want to speak about that. I have to accept it.”
Barcelona will resume their La Liga campaign next week at home against Celta Vigo, maintaining a nine-point lead at the top of the table. This latest Champions League exit marks seven years since their last semi-final appearance.
