Hansi Flick admits Barcelona were second-best in 2-1 Champions League loss to PSG

BARCELONA – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick conceded that Paris Saint-Germain were worthy victors in their 2-1 Champions League win at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium on Oct 1 and said that his team needed to improve in key areas.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, the German acknowledged that his Spanish side, who took the lead through Ferran Torres in the 19th minute, were second-best for much of the contest.

PSG, despite missing several key players, equalised through 19-year-old Senny Mayulu in the first half before substitute Goncalo Ramos scored a 90th-minute winner.

“Today, I don’t think we can say we’re on the same level,” Flick admitted.

“I believe in my team, but today we didn’t show our best side. After 35 minutes, PSG took control of the match. I don’t think we played to our full potential. But that’s also important in the Champions League. They deserved the win.”

Flick pointed to fatigue as a factor in Barcelona’s struggles during the second half, in which PSG dominated possession and created the more dangerous opportunities.

“I think you could see in the second half that some players were very tired,” he explained.

“When you’re a bit tired, it shows on the pitch. But everyone gave their all on the pitch. With the score at 1-1, you have to have better structure in defence. We have to learn and improve.”

He also emphasised the importance of maintaining defensive organisation and making better use of possession, praising the French title holders’ ability to exploit spaces and impose their game.

“We lacked structure in the second half,” Flick added.

“You have to hold out for 90 minutes. The whole team has to defend, attack, play 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, wants the ball... these are things to learn and improve on.

“The philosophy they have is fantastic. They have young players, they had high quality and speed on the ball, very, very good. We train to get better and better and this game today (will) help us a lot, also for the future.”

It was an even and thoroughly entertaining bout between two of the competition’s favourites, which was eventually settled by Ramos’ late strike, as PSG exploited Barca’s high defensive line.

Barcelona and PSG have not been on the best of terms over the past decade, with the Catalans recording one of the sport’s greatest comebacks in 2017 with a 6-1 last-16 second-leg win over the Parisians.

PSG snatching Neymar and going on to sign all-time Barca great Lionel Messi worsened relations.

On his return to Catalonia, PSG coach Luis Enrique – a former Barca player and coach – had to deal with a spate of injuries which left the visitors shorn of star names.

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and his usual attacking partners Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all missed out, but PSG midfielders Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz were fit to start.

“We’re happy with what we showed today,” said Enrique, after PSG sealed their second win from two league-stage games.

“After scoring the (first) goal, we got a confidence boost and in the second half we were better. I’m happy... because it’s an important victory and playing against Barcelona is always difficult.”

He also hailed his fullbacks Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, calling them the finest in their positions.

“No doubt, the two best (in the world),” added the Spaniard. “Nuno and Hakimi played excellently.”

Barcelona will look to regroup ahead of their next Champions League fixture, a home game against Olympiakos in three weeks, when PSG travel to face Bayer Leverkusen. REUTERS, AFP