Hansi Flick Commends Barcelona’s Courage Following Victory Over Benfica with Ten Players

Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick expressed his pride in his players’ dedication and commitment following their 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday, a remarkable feat considering they played much of the match a man down.

Flick praised his squad for their composure and defensive discipline, particularly after 18-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi was shown a red card early in the match. Raphinha’s goal in the second half ultimately secured the win.

“It’s a fantastic win,” Flick stated during an interview with Spanish TV network Movistar Plus.

“We’re really pleased not just with the result but also with the manner in which we achieved it. Our defensive performance was excellent; we defended as a unit, which is crucial for us. The collective effort from the entire team was impressive.

“Even after going down to ten men early in the first half, we managed the game effectively. The team responded brilliantly; it wasn’t an easy task, but there’s still the second leg to consider. Benfica are a strong side, and we need to remain vigilant.

Flick was sympathetic towards his young defender Cubarsi, noting that the red card for a last-man foul is a part of football.

“(The red card) is one of those incidents that occur in our sport, and it happened to us today. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters most is how we reacted, and the response was commendable,” Flick commented, before lauding his goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, for his outstanding performance that kept Benfica at bay.

The Polish goalkeeper became a key signing for Flick after the coach persuaded him to come out of retirement following Germany’s Marc-André ter Stegen’s knee injury in September.

“Szczesny has been remarkable. It’s evident he’s become a different player since arriving; with each match, his confidence grows, and our defensive stability has improved because of that. I’ve always had faith in his ability to perform at this level, especially since I see him in training every day. It’s a huge asset for us,” Flick added.