Flick praises Barcelona’s mentality after hard-fought Copa del Rey victory: ‘We deserved the win’ | OneFootball

Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Albacete, and while it was far from a comfortable night, Hansi Flick walked away satisfied with both the result and the attitude shown by his players.

The manager was quick to explain just how demanding these knockout fixtures can be, particularly in the middle of a relentless run of matches. 

Barcelona were tested until the final minutes, but Flick felt his side showed the maturity required to navigate a tricky tie and ultimately deserved to go through.

Speaking after the match, Flick focused on the importance of simply getting the job done. 

“These are the games we have to win, we’re in the semifinals, and we’re happy,” he began, as quoted by MARCA.

More on the match

Flick expanded on the overall display, acknowledging the scare at the end while backing his team’s efforts throughout the match. 

He stressed that the workload Barcelona are currently dealing with must be taken into account.

“It was a difficult game. We had a lot of chances. I’m proud of the team because we play every three days. The team is always ready and always prepared. We deserved the win.”

One of the few critical points Flick raised was Barcelona’s lack of efficiency in front of goal. 

Despite creating numerous openings, the Blaugrana failed to put the game to bed earlier.

“When you play a Cup match, it’s always tough. We created a lot of chances, and we need to finish better. 

“In the end, it was very fair. It was a very even match, but we need to finish our moves better.”

Maintaining the momentum

Barcelona registered a hard-fought win. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The closing stages were tense, but Flick dismissed any suggestion that his players lost focus or composure. 

Instead, he once again highlighted their mentality in high-pressure situations. 

“We can’t say anything about the mentality or attitude. I liked my team, and these Cup games have to be won, so we’re happy.”

The packed calendar was another theme Flick returned to, pointing out how little recovery time his squad has had in recent days. 

He emphasised the physical and mental demands placed on the players, saying,

“We play every three days. First on Wednesday, then on Saturday, and today on Tuesday. In less than a week, we’ve played three games. The team is always there and ready.”

Substitutions and Araujo

Flick also made a point of praising those who came into the side from the bench, noting that rotation is unavoidable under such circumstances. 

On the substitutes, he said, “We made six changes, and that has to be taken into account. Some players who usually get fewer minutes did well.”

Finally, the Barcelona coach singled out Ronald Araujo, who found the net and played a key role despite still working his way back. 

Flick explained the importance of that goal for the defender’s confidence.

“He’s taking it step by step, that’s the important thing. The goal will help him gain confidence and feel better about himself. 

“We support him and we’re behind him. He was tired at the end, but he played a good game and scored an important goal for him and for us,” he concluded.