Flick avoids a major sanction: Gil Manzano´s report does not include the butifarras

A mix of relief and frustration

The German coach finished the match with mixed feelings: relief for the victory and frustration for his expulsion due to a second yellow card. This is the second red card he has received since taking charge of the azulgrana team, and it could result in a one-match suspension, according to the wording of the match report.

”The referee did not want to talk to me”

”For me, football is emotion. Today we won expending a lot of energy, more than we expected. In the end, it’s all about that: pure emotion. Scoring that goal was fantastic. The celebration was not directed at anyone; it was simply an expression of tension, of how one experiences such an intense match,” Flick expressed after the final whistle. The Barça coach acknowledged that he did not understand Gil Manzano´s decision —”I was applauding Frenkie”— but preferred not to fuel the controversy. ”I am happy; it was not against anyone. I tried to talk to the referee, but he did not want to address me. He went his way, and I accepted it. That’s all I can say. It hurts not to be able to be by the team’s side in the Clásico,” said the German, who recalled that it is not common for the Catalan club to complain about refereeing, in contrast to what usually happens at Real Madrid. ”There is no opportunity for appeal. I was applauding Frenkie. In the end, it’s his decision. I have to accept it,” Flick added resignedly. The absence in the report of any reference to offensive gestures —such as the alleged “butifarras”— will prevent the sanction from being more severe, as in that case it could have reached up to six matches.

”Araujo is a very committed player”

”It was a tough match, very important for the future. For the next match, it will give us a bit more confidence. I am very happy for the team; it is important for morale going into the rest of the matches. Winning in the last minute always reinforces,” commented Flick, who surprised with an unusual tactical move by placing Araújo in offensive tasks in the final minutes. ”I am very happy for him; he always plays with a great attitude for this club. I asked him before going out if he could play in that position, and he said yes, that he was ready. He is a very committed player, and that makes me very happy,” the coach valued, highlighting the Uruguayan´s commitment to the team.

The challenge of improving match control

Flick insisted that the Barça still has room for improvement: ”It is our goal: to control matches better for more minutes. The upcoming commitments are very important, the Champions League and the Clásico, and we need Pedri fresh,” he explained while justifying the changes, including the substitution of the Canary midfielder. ”He is a key player; the important thing today was to win,” the German emphasized, aware that the victory, although hard-fought, boosts the morale of the group ahead of a series of decisive matches, even if his expulsion will keep him away from the bench for one or several matches, depending on the Competition Committee´s decision.