Hansi Flick talks Xavi Espart, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon after Levante 2-4 Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona maintained their perfect start with a hard-fought 4-2 victory away to Levante, but Hansi Flick admitted there were periods when his side lost the control he expects.

A brace from Lamine Yamal and goals from Xavi Espart and Karim Adeyemi saw Barça secure their fifth win on the bounce.

It was not a vintage performance from the Catalan club, but one in which their attacking firepower helped them secure the three points.

Hansi Flick takes the blame for the first goal

Barcelona defence appear quite porous today. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The Barça coach was pleased with the result and the team’s response after Levante threatened a comeback, while also accepting responsibility for the hosts’ first goal.

“We are happy because in the end we won 4-2. I think the goals we conceded came from mistakes we made, but for the first goal, I think the mistake was mine,” Flick said (h/t Diario SPORT).

“We wanted to substitute Xavi because he was having some cramps, and I said: ‘Okay, let’s wait until the next stoppage.’ Maybe if we had changed him at that moment, we would not have conceded that goal.”

On equalling Barcelona’s best-ever start, Flick added:

“I am proud. I am proud of my team, and I am proud of the club. But in the end, this is only the beginning. I do not look too much at the numbers, because they also belong to the past.”

Despite Barça reaching 21 goals in five matches, Flick stressed that defending remains just as important.

“Yes, of course, but also the way we defend is important. Normally, they pressed us very well today. I also think the pitch was not in the best condition. So it was not an easy match,” he continued.

Asked whether the game was another warning about dropping intensity, Flick said:

“If you do not give 100%, things like this happen.”

Xavi Espart and Adeyemi earn praise

Flick spoke in particular about Espart, who netted his first senior goal for Barça on the night.

“At the moment he is doing well. Technically he is good, tactically as well. And physically he is 100% ready and he is proving it. He is playing at a great level,” Flick said.

Karim Adeyemi’s late goal also impressed the coach.

“No, I am not surprised, because when he is focused, he is a fantastic player. That is what he has to deliver,” Flick said.

Adeyemi impressed with his goal vs Levante. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“Especially with the fourth goal, he was fantastic. In that situation you can see that he has something special.”

Flick throws his weight behind Anthony Gordon

Flick also defended Anthony Gordon after another game without a goal.

“I think Anthony gives us a lot, especially when he receives the ball. He is always able to control it and then pass it to one of our players, and therefore keep possession,” he said.

“Of course, as an attacker, when you have chances, you want to score. I hope he scores very soon, because that will also help him integrate completely. But I am happy with him, and I really appreciate what he gives us,” Flick concluded.

Gordon has been an assist machine for Barça this season, but did not have his greatest game against Levante.

The good thing for Barça is that their depth is at a level where players are ready to enter the pitch and make an impact.

Adeyemi did what Gordon could not today, and the duo will continue to be important on the left wing in the coming months.

The most important thing is that Barça have secured their fifth straight win this season, and it remains to be seen how they perform in the upcoming games.