Barcelona’s chances of securing a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League suffered a massive blow as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Catalans were completely outplayed by the Blues in West London, something coach Hansi Flick agreed to in his post-match presser.
The German also talked about Ronald Araujo’s red card and how Barcelona lacked intensity against a well-drilled Chelsea unit.
What Flick said after the Chelsea loss
Flick started by acknowledging that Barcelona should have made better use of their early chances, after which came a period of Chelsea dominance that never ended.
“We had a chance to score the first goal, and after that, playing with one man down against this Chelsea isn’t easy. We fought, and I also saw some positive things.
“But we lost a large number of balls. And that’s all I can say. We lost easy balls under pressure and in easy passes. So we need to analyse all of this,” he said.
The Barcelona coach admitted that following the Chelsea defeat, securing a place in the last eight will be even more difficult. “It will definitely be a very difficult task, but everything is possible,” he said.
It was clear that Chelsea were the better side of the two. But when asked about Barcelona’s intensity, especially compared to last season, Flick chose to hail the opposition.
“I think it’s just one match, and this is Chelsea. We started well and had a big chance from Ferran, but we could have scored the first goal.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach
Hansi Flick had a poor outing against Chelsea. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“And in the end, with one player less, things go like this, but I also think we have the intensity we need today. As for me, I can repeat it again, I’m optimistic about the next match. We’ll see, but I’m really optimistic,” he said.
“It’s not easy to play against Chelsea, against a very good team, and you’re down a man,” he added.
When asked whether or not Barcelona’s high defensive line was the problem, Flick said, “No, that’s not it. I think we defended well, but the problem was that we lost a lot of balls.
“It wasn’t that they pressed us and we lost the ball, no. Rather, we were making easy passes and then losing them, I’m positive. I’m also positive about what we offered in the second half and how we defended as a team.”
Flick was also asked if there is a clear disparity between the intensity of La Liga and Champions League matches.
“I don’t know exactly the number of minutes, but I think we played a lot of minutes while missing a player, and Chelsea is a very good team with the ball. So we have to accept this loss, but also think positively,” he answered.
A big turning point of the match came just before half-time when Ronald Araujo’s rash tackle led to his second yellow card.
“With the red card, everything changed. So it wasn’t easy to face this great team and come back in the match while we were down a player. For me, we have to accept this defeat, but I’m also looking with great optimism toward the upcoming matches,” he said.
The German was asked what he would do to help Araujo avoid picking up red cards in important matches.
“As for me, I didn’t see what happened with the first card. So I have to talk to him, and I also have to watch the match videos again and analyse them.
“The second card happens sometimes, but perhaps he could have avoided intervening like that, or maybe guided him more on what he can do. But in the end, this happens in football. It wasn’t the right time, nor the right match, but that’s how it went,” he answered.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach
Hansi Flick wasn’t pleased with Ronald Araujo after his red card. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Flick went on to talk about what Barcelona have learnt from this match, where the opposition was clearly the better team.
“To play more aggressively, especially in 1v1 situations, when you see Chelsea, they always maintain possession of the ball. They played more physically and were more dynamic in 1v1 matchups.
“That’s also what I want from my team. Sometimes we think we can control everything with the ball, but here in the Champions League, and especially here against a club that’s second in the Premier League, that’s not the case,” he said.
When asked if we will see a different Barcelona in a few months, Flick alluded to his previous promise.
“This is what I promised you. I see how we train, I see the quality, and I also see the intensity. The situation is completely different from what it was 6 weeks ago. And the players are returning, and the quality in training is improving a lot, and this is what I see.
“And I have a very good feeling about it and am optimistic about the future,” he said.
Finally, the German tactician talked about Barcelona’s road ahead, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
“I think I really saw some positive things from my team, and I’m also looking forward with optimism to the upcoming matches, and also the Champions League.
“We have three matches, three matches, nine points to win, and I’m really looking at it positively and thinking positively about it. We can achieve this,” he concluded.