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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick explains mistakes made indraw and Brest threats
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has explained that his side must learn to manage games better than in the past two games against Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo, where they scored just one point. Flick noted that it was part of the process of having a young team.
A response from the German coach is expected in the Champions League, when the Blaugrana take on Brest on Tuesday evening at 9pm. The French team is undefeated in Europe so far, has a possible lead of 10 points out of 12 and is one ahead of Barcelona.
“They are a strong team and they are good at set pieces. They also play well on the counter. We need to be strong in those areas and we need to be good in possession and control of the game.
Inigo Martinez had admitted to Flick that there was frustration in the dressing room after the draw against Celta, and Flick was asked what exactly he wanted to correct from his side.
“We have a young team, the youngest in the league I think, and it doesn't always go smoothly. During the 90 minutes you have to be careful in certain situations. With 0-2 in our favor and with the red card, we should have defended better than we did. We always want to play and attack, but sometimes it is enough to control the ball and defend well. We don't always have to go so fast.”
“There are very tough away games in the league, and the fans are also great in the Champions League. I like the away fans because they create a really good atmosphere. The wind wasn't that easy on Saturday either, that's no excuse, but we have to deal with it.”
He was also asked whether losing their lead could sow doubts in his party's mind.
“I always think positively, that's what I said. It is a young team and during the season it is normal for such situations to arise. For me the most important thing is that I learn from it. The quality of the players is very high and it is really amazing to see what they can do in training. We have to show it on the pitch and we want to start showing it tomorrow, but the process of this very young team is part of football. We still lead La Liga, albeit by a smaller margin, but any team would trade with us.”
Flick wanted his team to exert more control over the matches after saying his team did not play well from start to finish on Saturday evening.
“When we win the ball back, sometimes it is better to control it and sometimes we just want to score the next goal and that is not possible, especially when we are away from home. And we have to learn that. Go back and start again , that's what we have.” to do.”
He was also asked about Inigo Martinez's comments that the high defensive line was sometimes defeated by a lack of pressure up front.
“You have to be well connected, the whole team, both in defense and in attack. When we attack, it starts from the defense and it is good to be connected. You have to put pressure on the ball when they are building from the back and if you don't, the rivals at this level know how to overcome that.”