"The red card changed the game; we have seven more chances"

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted that the sending off of defender Eric Garcia after 10 minutes “completely changed the game” against Monaco in the Champions League opener, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.

“We defended with a lot of passion, we tried to keep the defense solid and stay together, but they attacked with a lot of very fast players. It wasn't easy to defend. The red card changed the game completely,” the German commented from the Stade Louis II press room.

Flick denied that his changes had been made too late and said that “the good part” of the match was that Barcelona tried to “defend and attack as a team” and created chances at the start of the second half.

“I told the players to lift their heads, because they were very disappointed. We have to focus on Sunday, because we have a tough game against Villarreal. It's time to get our energy back, because it's important to add victories in La Liga and maintain the positive trend,” he said.

“We are strong enough to have a good Champions League. We lost this game, but we have seven more chances,” the German said of what awaits the team in the Champions League.

 

September 20, 2024

The coach said that Lamine Yamal “tried a lot” in attack, but came up against “a very tough marking”, and changed both him and Pau Cubarsi in the second half “thinking about Sunday's game”.

Flick clarified that Marc Casado, who finished the game in pain, “has only received a blow”, and stressed that the midfielder of the youth team is one of those players who “always give more than 100%”.

The German said he felt “proud” of his team, but affirmed that they must “accept this defeat”, because there will be more matches in the future and Barcelona will be “a stronger team” when the injured players return.

On striker Ansu Fati, who came on late in the game and made his debut this season, the coach explained that he “brings quality” and “needs time” after being injured. “We have to take care of him, because it is important that good players can play and not get injured again,” he said.