Hansi Flick: "It Was a Crazy Match"
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick shared his thoughts on his team’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Benfica in the seventh round of the UEFA Champions League group stage.
“It was a crazy match. The most positive thing is the character we showed. We made an incredible comeback, and it’s simply fantastic. This is what football is all about, and that’s why we love it.”
Flick acknowledged his team’s struggles in the first half, admitting that their defensive positioning was far from ideal:
“We didn't play well in the first half. Benfica was very strong in transition, and they scored the opening goal. We were forced to defend very deep, and our positioning wasn't right. However, we improved significantly in the second half. The substitutions played a crucial role in helping us turn the game around.”
With this victory, Barcelona remains in second place in the overall standings of the Champions League group stage with 18 points.
The Catalan giants will now turn their attention to their final group stage fixture against Atalanta on January 29, aiming to solidify their position in the knockout rounds.