The German coach conceded his team was second-best and pointed to visible fatigue as a key factor in the damaging Champions League defeat.
A forthright Hansi Flick did not sugarcoat the reality for his Barcelona side after they let an early lead slip in a 1-2 home loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. Despite a bright start and an early goal from Ferran Torres, the German manager admitted the better team won on the night.
“In the first half, in the first half hour, we were better than in the second, but we didn’t play at our best against an opponent who deserved to win,” Flick told reporters, acknowledging PSG’s quality.
The manager refused to single out any individuals for blame, focusing instead on a collective drop in energy that became glaringly obvious after halftime. He specifically highlighted the heavy workload carried by his key midfielders, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
“Pedri and Frenkie de Jong have played a lot of minutes, and it’s important for us that they’re fresh,” Flick explained. “I think you could see in the second half that some players were very tired… but everyone gave their all on the pitch.”
With the score tied 1-1, Flick pointed to a breakdown in the team’s defensive structure as the moment that got away. “We have to learn and improve,” he stated, framing the loss as a tough but necessary lesson for his squad. While he conceded that his team is not currently on PSG’s level, his belief in their potential remains unshaken.
“We can’t say we’re at their level today. But I believe in my team, and we didn’t see our best today,” Flick said, striking a balance between realism and optimism. “I’m sure we can play like PSG, but we have to hold on.”
Looking ahead, the manager laid down a clear mandate for improvement, demanding his team find a way to maintain its focus and intensity for the full ninety minutes. The disappointment was palpable in the dressing room, a feeling the manager shares.
“I don’t like losing,” Flick admitted, making it clear that for a club of Barcelona’s stature, such performances are not acceptable.
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