Hansi Flick talks Gerard Martin, Lewandowski, Yamal and more after Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona headed to the Metropolitano knowing that Real Madrid had already slipped up earlier in the day, losing 2-1 at Mallorca. The opportunity to open up a commanding lead in La Liga was right there, and Barca took it but not without drama.

Giuliano Simeone put Atletico ahead in the 39th minute before Marcus Rashford levelled almost immediately.

The game then turned on a first-half stoppage time red card for Nicolas Gonzalez, who was dismissed for scything down Lamine Yamal.

Gerard Martin was then shown red in the opening seconds of the second half, only for VAR to overturn it to a yellow – a decision that infuriated the home side.

With Atletico holding firm and the clock winding down, Robert Lewandowski pounced on a rebound off Juan Musso in the 87th minute to win it. Seven points clear with eight games to play, Barcelona are firmly in the driving seat.

What Flick said after win vs Atletico Madrid

Hansi Flick was in good spirits on the pitch and carried that into the press conference, though he was measured in how he addressed the title picture.

“It was a very important victory. They defended very well with 10, but we played very well with the ball. We controlled the game, and I liked it. We tried everything to score the second goal. The most important thing is the victory and the three points.”

“It’s not easy to play here; the atmosphere is very strong,” he said.

One of the defining moments of the night was the Gerard Martin incident – shown red by referee Busquets Ferrer before VAR intervened and reduced it to a yellow.

“I haven’t seen him on TV, only live, but for me, what I’ve seen is that he cleared the ball. The first thing I thought was that there was no foul, but I think it does later. It’s a decision. I don’t think it was for a red card,” he said.

Gerard Martin’s red card was one of the most controversial moments of the game. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

With the gap now at seven points, the pressure has shifted firmly toward Madrid but Flick was not interested in looking sideways.

“We never look at other teams. I’m interested in my team. You have to do your job and we have done it. We could have done things better. We need this hunger to want to win games.”

“Every game is different and not easy to play. This is what I want to see in my team. After the break, the first game is not easy. It wasn’t for us, or for Atletico, or for Madrid, but it’s our job,” he said,

“Everyone knew that these three points were very important. But we also know that it’s not done and that on Wednesday we have a very important game. We’re going to play Atletico, who are a great team. We are happy, but we have not celebrated much,” he added.

The late winner came from Robert Lewandowski, whose contract situation remains unresolved heading into the summer. Flick made clear it is not a conversation for now.

“For me it’s too far away to talk about Lewandowski’s renewal. I’m happy with Robert and my players. There are eight league games left to play. We have to be focused. It’s our job; then we’ll see what happens.”

Lamine Yamal was one of Barca’s best on the night, but left the pitch visibly frustrated and did not acknowledge Flick as he walked off.

“I don’t know, I was a little angry. It’s normal, he gave everything and couldn’t score. Of course, it is emotional. Now he’s in the dressing room, and he’s better. It has nothing to do with the game; he has given everything,” he said.

The one cloud over the result was the fitness of two players who went off during the match. Both Bernal and Araujo picked up knocks, with the latter having come straight from international duty with Uruguay.

“We have to see, wait for tomorrow. And then we will know the result and see what we do. I hope it doesn’t go any further. Ronald came from the national team, from two games; I hope it’s nothing serious,” he concluded.

Source: Diario SPORT