Hansi Flick has stated that despite their dramatic 4-3 win over Real Madrid in the latest clásico, Barcelona don’t feel like champions yet. His team came from 2-0 down, thanks to early goals from Kylian Mbappé, with Barcelona’s response coming from Eric García, Lamine Yamal, and two from Raphinha. Although Real Madrid’s Mbappé completed a hat-trick, Barcelona managed to hold on to their lead, with a crucial save from debutant Victor Muñoz missing a golden opportunity to equalize in the dying moments.
Barcelona’s thrilling victory extended their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points, with only nine left to play for. Despite being on the verge of clinching the league title and the possibility of securing a domestic double in Flick’s first season as coach, he wasn’t ready to declare his team champions yet. Flick emphasized that there is still work to do, especially in defense, after Barcelona conceded three goals to Madrid and also struggled defensively in their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.
The win against Real Madrid placed Barcelona in a strong position to secure the title, yet Flick was cautious. “We don’t feel like champions,” he stated, highlighting that the team’s defensive issues still need to be addressed. He added, “We have to improve a lot defensively. When we press, it’s fine. But when we make mistakes, things get complicated.” Flick was clear that there were still challenges ahead, stating, “We still need three points, and every opponent will want to beat us.” This statement served as a reminder that, despite their commanding lead, Barcelona must remain focused and continue to deliver strong performances in their remaining matches.
Barcelona’s attack, however, has been nothing short of sensational this season. Their 4-3 win against Madrid brought their La Liga tally to 95 goals, showing the sheer offensive firepower that has propelled them towards the title. But Flick acknowledged that the team must strive for improvement in all areas, especially defensively. “It would be easy to say that the tactic is to score four if they score three, but we need to find a balance,” he said. His comments reveal a coach who is aware of the team’s potential but also their vulnerabilities.
The emotion of the match was palpable, and Flick admitted to feeling the intensity. “I am going to have to check my heart,” he joked, referencing the stressful nature of the game. Despite the excitement, he remains focused on the bigger picture: ensuring his team improves both defensively and tactically as they approach the final stretch of the season.
In terms of Barcelona’s overall quality, Flick didn’t shy away from acknowledging their attacking prowess. “You have to be the ones to say that,” he said when asked if Barcelona were the most entertaining team to watch in world football. He continued, “I suffer a lot,” hinting at the emotional toll games like these take on him. Flick remains humble about his team’s achievements, saying, “It’s not always so fun, but I am very happy with what we do.”
The coach’s message was clear: despite the team’s success this season, there is still room for improvement, especially in defense. With the league title within their grasp, Barcelona must continue to tighten up at the back and focus on minimizing mistakes. Flick remains optimistic, though, highlighting the potential and fantastic attitude of his team. The road to the title may be almost complete, but the final hurdle still requires maximum effort.
