Hansi Flick saw no reason to be downbeat when Barcelona insured their semi-final place in Champions League, despite the loss of Borussia Dortmund.
Leaga leaders Barca took another step in the direction of a Treble, although they lost 3-1 to Dortmund in Signal Iduna Park.
After a 4-0 win in the first stage, Barca went 5-3 on aggregated.
So far, Barca has the worst XG difference with one match (-3.36) of the knockout phases of this season so far.
It is the first time that the Blaugrana will appear in the last four of the Champions League since the 2018-19 season, when they capitulated memorable to Liverpool in the second stage.
While Flick, who rested Inigo Martinez and Pedri, acknowledged that Barca was far from their best on Tuesday, he reminded his team of what they had already achieved this term.
“I think everyone here recognizes and appreciates the performances of the team this season,” Flick told reporters.
“[It] Was not our best game. I understand the questions in that respect, but I think we still have reason to be happy.
“There was also no great atmosphere in the dressing room. It was only when I told them: 'Lons, we are in the semi -final,' that it stopped a bit.
“But of course, that's what the players expect from themselves. They want to win every game. Today they are a bit disappointed, but I think the happiness of going through will prevail.
“We won the first [game] 4-0, and here we lost 3-1. I think we deserved to reach the semi -final. Dortmund made life difficult for us.
“The atmosphere was extraordinary, but we are in the last four.
“It will be important to analyze this game, but we have played many matches, and it can be normal [to drop the performance level].
“But I am really satisfied with the team and the performances this season. We are still in three competitions.
“We are in the semi -final of the Champions League. This is a huge success, and we can be happy with that.”
Barcelona is until the semi-final after ending the worst XG difference with one match (-3.36) of the knockout phases of the Champions League 2024-25. pic.twitter.com/7u9qvsueua
– Opta Analyst (@Optaanalyst) April 15, 2025
Barcelona has been advanced despite losing the second stage of a Champions League Knock-Outdie for the first time since the semi-final in 2014-15 (when they lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich)-What the season they last won the competition.
“I am really happy to be in the semi-final, but disappointed about how we played,” Barca defender Jules Kounde told reporters.
“We missed everything we did well in the first stage: urgent, conclusive lanes. We were not there today.
“We made mistakes, eliminated. Flick told us that we had to improve during the rest. Maybe we did a bit in the second half.
“We have to continue and not stop doing what we have done the entire season. We have to be happy with the work that the team has done so far.”
Barca takes on Bayern or Inter in the last four, with the first stage of that draw from the back of the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on 26 April.
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