Hansi Flick: 'Barca played at a different level'

Barcelona maintained their strong performance under Hansi Flick with a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on the morning of December 3 (Vietnam time), in the most recent La Liga matchday.

In stark contrast to the sorrowful and almost tearful image after the game against Alaves last weekend, Hansi Flick appeared radiant this time. The German coach kept smiling as he watched his players dominate the opponent, control the game, and make good use of their chances. Goals from Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres secured a convincing win for the home team at Camp Nou, while also sending a strong message to the rest of La Liga.

After the match, Hansi Flick openly expressed his satisfaction: “I think the team's performance today was on another level. We faced a very strong team, but the entire squad fought together, which was the most evident thing to me. It was wonderful, truly excellent.”

Flick mentioned he was especially pleased that many new players or those recently returning from injury are beginning to regain their match rhythm. He shared: “I am very satisfied. The important thing is that the new players are gradually getting in sync. Some are not yet at 100% fitness, so we have to rotate the squad. Thanks to that, the team controlled the game better and created more space. It was a very positive day on the pitch.”

One of the biggest highlights for Barca in this match was Raphinha. The Brazilian star not only scored but also consistently caused breakthroughs during attacks. Although he had to leave the field earlier than expected, he still received special praise from the German coach. He added:

“Raphinha is an extremely important player for us. His return means a lot to the whole team. Today, Raphinha played very well and he also showed that in the previous match. I am truly happy.”

Flick also reassured fans when Pedri left the pitch showing signs of fatigue but without any serious issues. Meanwhile, Dani Olmo, who scored an important goal, will undergo further checks to determine his condition. The German coach confirmed:

“Pedri is fine, just a bit tired. As for Olmo, we have to wait for tomorrow’s examination. Anyway, winning against a team like Atletico always brings great confidence.”

Thanks to this victory, Barcelona remains top of the La Liga standings with a 4-point lead over Real Madrid. The Catalan club will have little time to rest as they will travel to Benito Villamarín this weekend to face Real Betis, a challenging test.

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