Beyond the goalkeeper debate, Flick was visibly delighted with the collective application of his players. In a match where rotation could have easily led to disjointed play, the Barcelona boss pointed to the psychological aspect of the performance as the deciding factor.
"The key is pressure and attitude," the German coach remarked, a phrase he reportedly repeated in multiple pitch-side interviews.
Flick was particularly pleased that his side did not underestimate the challenge, maintaining their intensity even with changes to the starting XI.
"These matches are not easy, I am happy with the attitude of my players," he concluded. "It is the key that explains our victory. It is not always easy to score in matches like this, but we did it."
For Ter Stegen, the evening represented a significant personal milestone. After the physical and mental gruel of long-term injury rehabilitation, stepping back onto the pitch with the captain’s armband - and keeping a clean sheet in a victory - was the "good next step" his manager had hoped for. Whether it leads to more regular minutes remains to be seen, but for one night at least, the German veteran proved he is still a presence to be reckoned with.