Hansi Flick has given an emphatic defence of Barcelona’s ability to perform in important matches, insisting he has complete faith in his players and the footballing principles they are trying to establish.
“I believe in my team and I am 100% convinced by it, and by the idea of how we want to play football,” the Barcelona manager said.
Flick was speaking after Barcelona recovered from a difficult start to beat Atletico Madrid. He acknowledged that his side lacked the intensity required during the opening stages, allowing the hosts to gain the upper hand in individual battles and physical challenges.
“For me, it is about the intensity we have on the pitch, and that was not there at the beginning,” Flick said.
“You had the feeling that Atletico were more involved in the game, more present in one-versus-one situations and in the duels, while we were not.”
Barcelona’s response before half-time was central to the outcome, according to Flick. He said scoring an equaliser before the interval helped change the direction of the match, after which his team took control and produced the level of performance it had been seeking.
The German described the victory over Atletico Madrid as particularly important. Although Barcelona had failed to reach the expected standard in the first half, Flick felt the improvement after the break was substantial enough for his team to dictate the contest and make the eventual win deserved.
Flick also explained his decision to use Frenkie de Jong at right-back. The midfielder had indicated that he was willing to fill the position if required, after discussing the possibility with the manager before the previous game.
The plan was for De Jong to operate on the right for 50 minutes before being replaced if Berni began to feel tired. Flick said the arrangement proceeded as intended and that he considered it the correct decision.
Barcelona are listed to face Villarreal in La Liga on 22 November 2026, while Getafe are listed to play Atletico Madrid in the same competition and on the same date.
Flick concluded by reaffirming that Barcelona would continue to work according to its footballing philosophy. He said the team would rely on the quality of its players and their ability to carry out the style he wants to embed, despite the criticism that followed defeats by Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
