FC Barcelona had a 'black' night at the Luis II Stadium. The Blaugrana squad made their debut in the 2024-2025 Champions League against AS Monaco, in a very 'uphill' match for the Catalans from the first minutes. The expulsion of Eric García, caused by an error by Ter Stegen, conditioned the match for the Catalans, who spent more than 80 minutes with one less on the field.
Hansi Flick spoke on the subject on 'Movistar', where he assured that the red card for the '24' was the key to the Blaugrana team's defeat. "The match has changed with the expulsion, we have tried at all times, we have defended with passion, we have made some mistakes, but we have tried to score goals. We had chances, but they have won," the German began explaining.
However, the coach wanted to take the edge off the end of the consecutive winning streak at the start of the campaign, stating that the team will come back stronger after the setback suffered on Thursday. "We have suffered. We have lost, yes, I have told the players, but we have to come back stronger, recover, give the best of each one, fight for the team. We have lost, but we will continue to fight," he said.
Finally, Flick recognised the merits of the Monegasques' victory, physically superior to the Catalans who had to double their efforts after Eric's expulsion. "They have been very good, it is normal. They are fast and we have tried to defend ourselves. They deserved the 2-1 and the victory," he concluded.
Hansi Flick: "I'm not worried"
Later, the Blaugrana coach spoke to the media at a press conference, where he gave his thoughts after the first defeat of the campaign.
"I'm not worried. We have to analyse it, it's my job as a coach. The players were unhappy, but we have to recover. We hope to recover players with energy. We will analyse the game with the players. After the red card, the game has changed"
He also spoke about the triple substitution involving Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Robert Lewandowski, revealing that he made it with a view to next Sunday's match against Villarreal. "Lamine tried hard. It was a difficult match and you have to adapt to these situations. The substitution of Lamine and Cubarsí was more thinking about Sunday. They were very tired," he said.
He also spoke about Ansu Fati's return to the first team, confirming the confidence he has in the player after his great pre-season. "Ansu prefers to play as a left winger. I've spoken to him, but he can also play in the centre. I've seen him in pre-season and I've seen a very different Ansu to the one I saw at Brighton. He looks very good. He needs time and we have to look after him," he commented.
Flick turns the page
When asked if it was Barça's worst game so far this season, Flick said that "when you have five wins and you lose, you can say it's the worst, yes. We haven't started badly. In some phases we haven't been good in the combinations. But, I insist, I've seen positive things and now we have to focus on the League."
Finally, he said that his team will get up stronger from the 'stumble' suffered in Monaco and will now focus on recovering energy to get a good result on 22 September at La Cerámica.
"We will be stronger and there are still seven games left. In the next games we have to recover our energy. We have games every three days, but we already know what we have to do"
"There was disappointment in the dressing room and I told them that now we have to recover for Sunday. LaLiga is important and we have to keep adding points. We have to analyse the game and talk to the players to see what we have not done well. It will not be easy but we have to recover energy. We lost, okay, I have told the players but we have to come back stronger and recover. We have a game on Sunday and we have to give our best, fight for the team and that is what we will continue to do," concluded the German.