Flick: “I’m proud of the team” Barcelona 2 – 1 Frankfurt
Naturally, Hansi Flick gave a very positive assessment of Barça ‘s crucial victory against Eintracht Frankfurt after drawing in Bruges and losing to Chelsea in the previous two matches. “I’m happy. We’ve won three very important points, but above all because we controlled the game. It wasn’t easy. They defended very deep, leaving little space, and we were able to create chances. It’s never easy in the Champions League . I’m proud because the team knew how to do what needed to be done. I congratulate my entire staff for their pre-match analysis,” argued the Barça coach, who praised his team’s reaction: “On the one hand, I’m happy that we always come back. It says a lot about our mentality, attitude, and competitiveness, but it would be good to score one or two goals earlier.”
Asked about the improvement in the standings, where Barça are provisionally 14th and two points away from the top eight who qualify for the round of 16, Flick is looking no further than the matches against Slavia Prague and FC Copenhagen : “Now we have to get six more points. We must focus on ourselves. We have to play at this level, and that’s what I want to see.”
With a +3 overall goal difference, which is low after having played six games, Hansi admitted that it is not a minor detail: “Of course we have to look at these things but the important thing is to get those next six points.”
Flick highlighted Marcus Rashford ‘s introduction in overcoming the opponent: “ Eintracht ‘s approach didn’t surprise me . I told my players to forget the last match (6-0 in Leipzig) because they are a good team. In the first half, Raphinha was all over the pitch, and perhaps that wasn’t the best, but his attitude was good. In the second half, we tweaked a few things, and Marcus was important in providing width and stretching the lines. We scored two goals from set pieces, but that’s also part of the game.”
He also spoke highly of Jules Koundé , who scored twice : “I didn’t expect Koundé to show up , but that’s football. His mentality is very important for us.”
Regarding Lamine Yamal ‘s seriousness when he was substituted in the 89th minute by Roony Bardghji , the Barcelona coach dispelled any controversy: “He was a little disappointed, but he had a yellow card and needed fresh legs. That’s Lamine, and that’s just how he is. I completely understand because everyone wants to keep playing and play 90 or 100 minutes. I also see it as a good attitude. I was a player myself. Perhaps I didn’t express it like Lamine , and my level was different, but I accept it.”
