Hansi Flick wants Barcelona to be more intelligent after defeat to undermanned PSG
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick had criticism for his team.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick called on his team to show more intelligence in the end of games after they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to an injury-hit Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The Blaugrana welcomed Lamine Yamal back into the starting line-up for the visit of the Champions League holders to the Olympic Stadium, and the teenage sensation was involved as Barca took the lead through Ferran Torres’ 19th-minute effort.
Barca looked heavy favourites at that point to defeat a PSG side missing Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Joao Neves, who suffered an injury in the warm-up.
But 19-year-old Senny Mayulu levelled matters seven minutes before half-time following excellent work from the instrumental Nuno Mendes, and PSG completed the turnaround in the 90th minute.
Barca’s high line was caught out as Achraf Hakimi found space on the right to cross for substitute Goncalo Ramos to fire home the winner, leaving Flick frustrated by his side’s game management.
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Barcelona deserved to lose – Flick
“The first half we played much better than the second,” Flick said.
“We conceded too much because we were tired. The truth is that PSG are a great team, they have very young and very fast players and they played a fantastic game.
“We didn’t play at our best level and against an opponent like that when it’s necessary. They deserved the victory.
“Of course we are disappointed. When you defend at 1-1, you have to play more intelligently at the end of the game and this has not happened. In transition, they have marked us. We have to be more structured and cover all spaces.
“You have to hold out for 90 minutes, the whole team has to defend, attack, be at a high level with the ball, take advantage of spaces, participate in possession.
“At PSG you saw that everyone knows how to take advantage of spaces, they want the ball. These are things to learn and improve.”
Fatigue a factor for Barcelona
Barca have been dealing with their own injury issues, with Gavi, Joan Garcia, Fermin Lopez and Raphinha all unavailable.
And Flick conceded fatigue played a role in Barca’s downfall.
“I think in the second half you could see that some players were very tired, like Pedri and Frenkie [de Jong],” he said.
“But they all gave their best on the pitch. Pedri and Frenkie have played a lot of minutes. It’s important that they’re fresh but the important thing is the team.”