Hansi Flick was all smiles after the final whistle, satisfied to see his side produce another dominant performance. “I like the way we’re playing, as well as the result and the three points. I can say that I’m happy, and the team is happy too,” he said in his post-match press conference.
His enthusiasm was more measured, however, when asked about Barcelona’s best-ever start to a season, with seven consecutive victories. “It’s always positive to have a good start. The important thing is to finish well, and that’s what we’re working towards. We’re in a good moment and we have to make the most of it,” he reflected.
“Of course, I understand the euphoria, but it’s only six matchdays. The most important thing is to stay focused on the next game, rather than on things that could happen at the end of the season,” Flick stressed.
The German coach also highlighted Racing’s attacking approach. “They play good football. They like to have the ball, and in some situations it wasn’t easy for us. But in the end, I think we deserved this result,” he said.
Racing struggled to cope with Barcelona’s intense pressing, something Flick summed up simply: “That’s our mentality. We want to play like this. I’ve told the players that when we lose the ball, we have to press together as a team. They did that, and it’s good to see.”
Flick also played down Szczesny’s mistake. “We all make mistakes. When a goalkeeper makes a mistake, it normally ends in a goal. Next time he’ll have to do better, but that’s football,” he said.
Flick emphasized that the Polish goalkeeper remains “our second goalkeeper” and explained that Joan was substituted because of discomfort in his knee. He added that the player would undergo further tests today, but that, in principle, he could be available for the match in Seville.
Flick also had plenty of praise for Adeyemi, a player he already knew from his time as Germany’s head coach.
“He has a lot of potential. He will improve. He has to adapt to our style of play, but he gives us a lot. You could see that in three or four moments,” Flick began.
“All the Barça fans are behind him, and I’m happy for him. He didn’t have an easy spell in Germany. He’s a fun player, his teammates like him, and he’s a good guy. He gives everything, and that’s important. We’ll work with him to help him improve. His pace is incredible. He was outstanding in Lamine’s goal,” Flick said.