Flick: Proud of This Dream Victory, Have Explained Bench Conflict to Ancelotti

In the early hours of October 27, Barcelona secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the El Clásico away game. Barcelona’s head coach, Julian Flick, was highly satisfied with the performance and expressed pride in his players. This win solidified Barcelona’s lead at the top of the league table, extending their advantage over Real Madrid to six points.

After the match, Flick said, “We had a great start and showed excellent form in the first half. Although pressing high up the pitch looked risky, we actually controlled the game very well. At halftime, we made some appropriate substitutions and increased the pressure on our opponents. In the second half, we had better control of the ball. The players performed exceptionally well both offensively and defensively, and everyone knew their roles. I have always emphasized that the team needs to keep improving, and today, despite the significant challenge, we were solid in defense and stuck to our game plan.”

“I have always said that I am happy to coach Barcelona and to live in Barcelona. It is a fantastic job. I feel very fortunate. We played a dream match today, and I am proud. I am happy for Iñaki, who performed outstandingly. Keeping a clean sheet is crucial. The players are more confident now. They celebrated in the locker room, and it was a beautiful sight.”

Regarding his halftime speech, Flick stated, “We made a substitution and intensified our pressing. In the second half, we had more control of the ball. That’s what I told them.”

When discussing the high defensive line strategy, Flick explained, “The key is the positioning of the defensive line. The whole team has put in a lot of effort. Defensive work while in possession is crucial for me; we cannot leave any gaps for the opposition.”

On the significance of this victory, he said, “I always focus on the team’s performance. As long as we follow our plan, we can achieve success. We also did well defensively. I am satisfied with our current results and do not dwell too much on past events. The support from fans in recent weeks has been very helpful.”

Speaking about Robert Lewandowski, Flick believes creating an environment where all players can perform at their best is essential. “The atmosphere in the team is excellent. We can celebrate this victory, and I will give the players two days off to recover before preparing for the next match against Espanyol. Although we are happy now, we must stay focused on the next game.”

When asked about young players versus older players, he commented, “Having players like Gavi, Olmo, and De Jong is great, but every player is important. As a coach, having multiple options is always good. This team is incredibly talented, and everyone is in great form.”

Regarding tactical adjustments, Flick said, “Every game against different opponents requires corresponding changes. We have been working hard on our defense. Tonight, the four defenders plus Iñaki Peña performed excellently. Overall, it feels great.”

Finally, about the controversy between his assistant and Carlo Ancelotti, Flick mentioned that he did not notice the specific details. “I have talked to Ancelotti about it, and it is just part of the game. We celebrate goals, and we handle such issues maturely.”