Barcelona’s difficult season continued with a 2-1 home loss to Atletico Madrid on Saturday. This defeat extended their winless run in LaLiga and cost them the top spot in the standings. Despite the result, coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s performance and expressed hope for improvement after the winter break. The loss was Atletico’s first win at Camp Nou in 18 years, but Flick focused on the positives.
“We played exactly as I want to see. That’s the style I want here at Barça,” he said. “I’m sad for the result as losing nine points at home is not normal. But performance-wise, it was great.”
Barcelona has now failed to win in their last three LaLiga matches, collecting only five points from 21. Losses to Leganes and Las Palmas have also hurt their standing, leaving them three points behind Atletico, who have a game in hand. Flick acknowledged these setbacks but stressed the need to move forward.
“Perhaps this break has come at an opportune moment for us. We must learn from our mistakes,” he said.
Reflecting on earlier losses, he added,
“Those points are history now. After the break, we will show our true strength. While we are disappointed, life continues.”
Flick also spoke about the need to rebuild confidence within the team.
“The atmosphere in the dressing room is not great at the moment, but that’s part of football,” he said. “It’s crucial to ensure players take pride in their performances. My role is to instill confidence in everyone.”
Flick compared his current situation to his time at Bayern Munich, where he worked with a more experienced squad.
“Here, I’m genuinely excited about this young team, which has incredible potential,” he said. “I believe we’ll bounce back.”
The winter break offers Barcelona a chance to regroup and address their weaknesses. Flick remains optimistic that the team can rediscover its form and regain momentum. As the title race tightens, their ability to perform consistently will be crucial for success in the coming months.
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