Barcelona head coach Hans Flick expressed his pride and satisfaction after guiding his team to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years. Despite a 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the second leg, the Catalan giants comfortably advanced thanks to their dominant 4-0 win in the first leg.
Speaking to the media after the match, Flick acknowledged the quality of their German opponents, describing Dortmund as “a very strong team,” and praised the “incredible” atmosphere inside the stadium. He noted that the team's primary objective was to qualify for the next round, and he was pleased that they had achieved that goal.
Flick emphasized the prestige of the Champions League, calling it “the best competition in the world,” and said it was an honor for a club like Barcelona to be among the final four once again. The last time Barcelona reached the semi-finals was six years ago, a period marked by several disappointments and rebuilding phases. Flick’s leadership has now revived hopes of European glory.
Looking ahead to the semi-finals, the German coach remained neutral about who he preferred to face between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. “I’ll just watch the game at home like everyone else,” he said, showing calmness and confidence regardless of the outcome of the other quarter-final.
Flick also addressed some of his squad decisions on the night. He explained that young midfielder Pedri was left on the bench to rest, as he had played many matches in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Iñigo Martínez was given a break due to the risk of suspension from a yellow card, showing Flick’s strategic planning in ensuring his key players are available for the next round.
Despite the loss in the second leg and what he described as “not our best performance,” Flick said the team’s effort deserved to be praised. “The win was valuable,” he stated, underlining that progressing to the semi-finals is a significant achievement for the club and a testament to the players’ commitment and resilience.
With Barcelona now eyeing a spot in the final, fans will be hoping Flick’s composed leadership continues to inspire the squad through the final stages of Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
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