Hansi Flick has urged Barcelona to learn from their mistakes after a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico added to their midweek Champions League loss to Paris Saint Germain.
The Barcelona manager admitted his team fell below their usual standards at the Santiago Bernabeu. He also pointed to a lack of freshness after a demanding run of fixtures.
Barcelona struggled in the first half but improved after the break. However, the defeat ended their run of nine consecutive wins at the start of the La Liga season and marked their first league loss of the campaign.
”It’s two defeats and we’re not happy. We’re disappointed. The first half wasn’t good, we improved in the second after it was 1-1. We lacked freshness. It’s our first defeat in LaLiga. We’d won nine games in a row and this happens. Defeats are part of this sport. We have to analyze and improve, and we will. It’s important to react,” he said.
Flick Targets Improvement Before International Break
Hansi Flick acknowledged the quality of Real Madrid’s performance, particularly their work without the ball. However, he believes Barcelona can use the defeat as an opportunity to improve rather than allow it to damage the team’s confidence.
“I’d say it’s clear we played against a high-quality opponent who did very well without the ball. We lacked freshness. These past few weeks, after the match against Betis… haven’t been easy. We need to rest and respond to the defeat. And we will. When you lose, it’s not all bad. But there’s still a long way to go, and these things happen. This should make us reflect and improve.”
The Barcelona boss also rejected the idea that the latest result would create doubts within his squad. Instead, he stressed that small details often decide major matches and insisted his players must respond on the pitch.
“I don’t think this defeat will create any doubts within the team. Everyone knows the situation. We didn’t play our best today, but in big games, details decide the outcome. That’s how the scales tip, and today luck wasn’t on our side,” he added.
Flick made it clear that Barcelona must improve, while refusing to use their busy schedule as an excuse. He admitted that losing twice in quick succession was difficult for the club and its supporters, especially in a match against Real Madrid.
“We have to improve. After these defeats, there are no excuses. But I know what we need to improve on. I’m not worried because this is part of the game and the sport. Two defeats are too many for me and all Barça fans. Especially in the Clásico. We don’t want to lose.
“You only see the matches, but being on a plane for three hours in Seville, returning to the hotel… then going to Paris… it’s a lot. But I don’t want to talk about this when we lose; it’s better when we win. And I won’t accept excuses. I’m telling the truth: today we weren’t fresh, and we need to change that.
“ The players will have two days off after training tomorrow. Some will go to the London event. I want everyone to be fresh and make the right decisions regarding nutrition, sleep, and recovery. There are three matches before the break. I want to win every match and every title,” Hansi Flick enthused.
