A euphoric Hansi Flick puffs his chest after Barça's victory: "I am proud"

FC Barcelona achieved a crucial victory against Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 (0-1). The culés left the Estádio da Luz with a victory after playing more than 70 minutes with one player less due to the expulsion of Pau Cubarsí, and Hansi Flick highlighted his team's attitude in his appearance before the media at the post-match press conference.

"I am very proud, after playing from the 22nd minute with one less, it is a great performance. They ran a lot," began the coach, who assured that his players managed the game intelligently and wanted to emphasize that "we had a good goalkeeper today. And we did great".

The German, euphoric as he has rarely been seen, insisted on his delight with the result obtained in a difficult field and stated that "I am satisfied with the victory. I am very proud of the team because we defended very well and managed the game well. It is a very big victory".

The expulsion of Cubarsí and Szczesny's great performance

Flick also praised Wojciech Szczesny, a key contributor, along with Raphinha, to the azulgrana's victory in Lisbon. "I am very happy. It is important when you keep a clean sheet playing with 10. He had a fantastic performance. He saved us. I am happy for him and for the team," the coach began to say.

"(Szczesny) had a fantastic performance. He saved us"

"Every game gives us more confidence and we are defending better. He is a fantastic goalkeeper. I have already said he had a fantastic game but not just him. Everyone fought," he added, also highlighting the collective performance of his team.

On the other hand, the German downplayed the expulsion of Cubarsí by stating that "these things happen in a match. The important thing is how you react and the reaction was very good" and again emphasized the figure of Pedri, chosen by UEFA as the MVP of the match. "Right now he is at an incredible level, we are very happy to have him," he stated.

Regarding the substitution of Dani Olmo after the red card shown to the center-back, Flick maintained that "we had to choose someone, it had nothing to do with him or his performance, it was for tactical adjustments. We did well," adding that "it is a decision I have to make. It is not easy to take a player out and it is not easy for a player to understand it but the 4-4-1 was the best structure".

Barça's options for the return leg

Regarding the importance of the blaugrana victory in Lisbon, the coach asserted that "in a match of 95 or 100 minutes, it is difficult for fans but also for coaches. I am proud, they did fantastic. I told them chapeau".

"I am proud, they did fantastic. I told them chapeau"

"After going down to 10 in the 22nd minute it was not easy. It is a great victory for us, but we know that the return leg is still to come, that Benfica is a great team and that we have to be careful," Flick pointed out, who was cautious about the upcoming match on Tuesday.

Finally, the blaugrana coach assured that, despite the advantage gained with the victory at the Estádio da Luz, the tie is by no means settled. "We are in a good situation, but in football anything is possible. Tuesday will be complicated, tough, and difficult. These Champions League matches are complicated for everyone," he concluded.