Flick chooses self-criticism: ”If there is no intensity, there is nothing to do in Champions”

Flick acknowledged that the Barcelona team ”has suffered too much from defensive errors” and that, despite saving a point thanks to the magic of Lamine Yamal, the team´s performance does not meet the desired standards.

”We have to correct a lot”

The German coach stated that, although he valued the team´s character in coming back and scraping the draw, he could not hide that Barça ”pays dearly for its mistakes” by conceding three goals. Flick emphasized that ”you cannot expect to win like this” if the team continues to be vulnerable in transitions and counterattacks, as the opponent demonstrated. This fragility was a constant in the match report. In this regard, he stressed that improvement must come in the defensive aspect, insisting that attention and concentration ”must be maintained for 90 minutes.”

Attitude and individualities are good, but the collective is under construction

Flick wanted to highlight positive aspects: the emergence of Lamine Yamal, his ”hunger” and ability to decide, was a reason for praise. He also valued the collective attitude in not giving up despite the adverse score. But at the same time, he warned that ”having great individualities does not replace functioning as a team.” For him, the path to the expected level involves ”being more solid, more organized, and more intense,” especially away from home.

Looking ahead without excuses

There was no lack of reference to the context of injuries that the team has faced. Flick recalled that the squad is not yet complete and that this ”obviously shows,” but made it clear that there are no excuses: ”We are the ones responsible, we have to react.” With the point earned, the coach also commented that the draw ”counts” because in Europe every unit can matter, although he reiterated that ”we wanted the three points.”