Hansi Flick disappointed with FC Barcelona’s performance against Real Sociedad

Hansi Flick appeared before the media in a post-match press conference defined by a "bittersweet" atmosphere. While FC Barcelona couldn't manage in a thrilling 2-1 loss at the Reale Arena, the German tactician could not hide his profound disappointment regarding the final result. Despite the two points dropped, Flick remained steadfast in his belief that his team’s performance deserved far more than a stalemate.

"I am disappointed with the result, but I am happy with the brand of football we displayed, except for specific moments where we must defend better," Flick summarized. He appeared convinced that the final scoreline was a poor reflection of the dominance showcased by the Blaugrana on the pitch.

Flick’s analysis centered on the lack of clinical finishing and a perceived lack of luck in both boxes. According to the coach, Barcelona generated more than enough high-quality chances to secure a victory, but a combination of poor aim and defensive lapses proved fatal.

"We created so much, and the result simply doesn't adjust to the reality of the game. There are days where you put in an immense effort, and things just don’t go your way. Today was one of those days," the coach lamented. He revealed that he had a private talk with his players in the locker room to reinforce that the project is on the right track despite the setback. "I told them we were unlucky... this was probably the unluckiest game of my entire career," he added, emphasizing the statistical anomaly of the draw.

The German was surgically precise when identifying where the game slipped away. For Flick, the momentum shifted right after the equalizer. "The 1-1 was a good moment for us; we were doing things right. However, the 2-1 goal did a lot of damage. In that specific play, we should have defended the origin of the move and the cross much better. That is an aspect we must adjust immediately."

The most explosive moment of the press conference occurred when Flick was asked about the refereeing. Frenkie de Jong had earlier complained about the official's refusal to communicate with the players. Flick was cautious but firm: "Frenkie is right, but I don’t want to waste energy on these things. He is the captain; he is always calm and wants to speak with the referee, but he isn’t allowed to. We have to accept it."

However, Flick’s composure broke when a reporter pointed out that the VAR official who disallowed Lamine Yamal’s goal was the same one involved in a controversial disallowed goal for Robert Lewandowski last season. Upon hearing this, Flick opted for biting irony. He clapped his hands and responded in Spanish: “Bien, buen trabajo” (Fine, good job). The sarcastic applause immediately went viral, signaling Flick’s growing frustration with the officiating standards in La Liga.

On a more positive note, Flick briefly touched upon the return of João Cancelo to the team. Although he didn't delve into the specifics of the negotiation, he highlighted the tactical flexibility the Portuguese international brings to the table. “He can play on both flanks, which is why we decided he had to come back. He gives us solutions on both sides of the pitch,” Flick concluded.

With this draw, Barcelona remains at the top of the table, but the gap with their pursuers has narrowed, leaving Flick with plenty of tactical—and emotional—work to do before the next matchday.