Barcelona’s German coach Hans-Dieter Flick looks on prior the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on November 8, 2026. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP via Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Hansi Flick oversaw a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday as Barcelona won a big game at the top of the table before the international break.
Barcelona weren’t at their best and Flick admitted there was a lack of intensity from his team, particularly at the start of the game.
“We have the quality to win these matches. I told you that you have to believe in this team. It’s not easy to win here at Atlético, and the team has done fantastically. We’re here, working every day to win titles, and that’s what we want,” he said.
“We adapted a bit in the second half. In the first half, we weren’t on the pitch in some situations and there was a lack of intensity.”
Flick changed things at the break, sending on Frenkie de Jong at right-back. The German coach explained his decision and how he was a lot happier with his team’s performance after half-time.
“I spoke with Frenkie before the match about whether he could play in that position for fifteen minutes at full-back, until Bernal got tired. And he said that if the team needed him, he was willing,” he added.
“In the first half we were far from the opponent and couldn’t press effectively. But you play 90 minutes: the first half wasn’t perfect, but the second was. I’m happy, especially for the three points. It was important.”