Barcelona concluded their Champions League group stage marketing campaign with a 2-2 draw towards a well-organised Atalanta facet.
The consequence secured second place for the Catalan giants, ending behind Liverpool on this part of the newly structured competitors.
Hansi Flick expressed satisfaction with the staff’s efficiency, significantly their skill to safe qualification regardless of dealing with powerful opponents all through the group stage.
“We performed towards an ideal staff, with an ideal philosophy, we did effectively within the second half. Atalanta performed very effectively,” he started saying.
Reflecting on the draw, Flick highlighted the importance of ending second. Whereas there have been moments the place Barcelona might have carried out higher, securing a spot within the subsequent part was a optimistic end result.
“I’m proud of second place after this league part. I feel it’s a nice success for the staff. It was a troublesome match. I feel we might have finished just a little higher, however total we’re glad with the consequence and qualification as second,” he famous.
On Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal was taken off. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
The sport additionally noticed younger expertise Lamine Yamal’s late substitution for Pau Victor. Flick clarified that the choice was tactical as he sought to push for a profitable aim within the last minutes.
Whereas the consequence remained a draw, the choice showcased Flick’s willingness to make daring strikes to affect the sport’s end result.
“Sure, effectively. I used to be a bit disillusioned with the consequence, however he’s younger. It was on the finish of the sport that Pau Victor got here on. I wished to vary one thing and I assumed we might nonetheless win, however I’m blissful.”
Subsequent opponent
As Barcelona await their subsequent opponents, potential matchups with robust groups like PSG, Benfica, Monaco, and Brest loom giant.
“It’s at all times the identical. In the event you assume this might be an excellent opponent… it might find yourself being the hardest. In the present day I noticed a number of issues that we did very effectively and others that we are able to do higher.”
Flick emphasised the unpredictable nature of the brand new Champions League format, declaring that seemingly manageable opponents can turn into formidable challengers.
“I feel it’s a brand new format and a very powerful factor is that you just by no means know what’s going to occur. Now I can say that I’m proud of this format as a result of we’re within the prime 8 and we now have 15 extra days to coach.”
Enchancment in defence
Hansi Flick desires enchancment in defence. (Photograph by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photographs)
Defensive stability stays an space of focus for Barcelona. Whereas Flick was happy with the general group stage efficiency, he acknowledged that additional work is required to tighten up on the again.
With 15 days earlier than the following part, the teaching workers has ample time to fine-tune the staff’s method.
“Sure, that must be improved. We’re blissful to complete on this place however we have to work on many issues and we’re doing that.”
Supply: AS