Flick praises Barcelona’s mentality after challenging Copa del Rey win: ‘The opponent played a great match’ | OneFootball

Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals after a tough and demanding night away from home, and manager Hansi Flick was clearly satisfied with what he saw from his players. 

Playing under cold and rainy conditions, the match against Racing Santander was far from straightforward, especially with the kick-off delayed by 15 minutes due to the stadium’s late opening.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Barcelona demonstrated maturity and focus to get the job done and advance in the Copa del Rey.

Speaking after the final whistle, Flick first reflected on the overall challenge of the night and the importance of the result.

 He acknowledged both the atmosphere and the level of the opposition before stressing what ultimately mattered most.

“There was a great atmosphere and the opponent played a great match. In the end, we won, and that’s the most important thing,” Flick began saying.

Joan Garcia’s selection

Joan Garcia started ahead of Ter Stegen. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

One of the key talking points was Flick’s decision to start Joan Garcia, a choice that raised questions given the rotation policy in cup competitions. 

The Barcelona coach explained that the decision was purely tactical and made with the bigger picture in mind, while also leaving the door open for future changes.

“He played because we decided to. We will see what happens in the next few games, as it’s not decided yet. 

“He may play every game, but we’ll have to see. He may be tired… We have to manage him.”

Praising Fermin Lopez

Flick was also asked about Fermin Lopez’s performance, with the young midfielder once again bringing intensity and movement to Barcelona’s play. 

The German coach did not hold back in his praise, highlighting what makes the player stand out within the squad.

Flick praised Fermin Lopez for his energy. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“He’s special. No two players are the same. I love his attitude, his dynamism. He can change the course of a game with his dynamism and accurate passes. 

“He’s always in the right place. He’s a very good player.”

Finally, Flick addressed the wider context of the tie, especially the importance of attitude in knockout football, referencing recent cup upsets elsewhere. 

“For Racing, it was one of the most important games of the year. You don’t win these kinds of games because of the name, but because of the attitude. 

“And it’s important to show that. For us, it was also an important game. We were serious, with the right mentality,” he concluded.

Source: AS