‘PSG Are Better Than Us’: Flick Admits After Barcelona’s Champions League Defeat

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick admitted Paris Saint-Germain were the better team after the Spanish champions suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 4-2 to the defending European champions in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash at the Parc des Princes.

Désiré Doué opened the scoring for PSG before Barcelona fought their way back into the contest, but Luis Enrique’s side proved too strong in the second half to hand Flick’s men their first setback of the campaign.

‘It was a fantastic game from both teams. PSG showed they are better than us,’ Flick said in his post-match interview.

The German coach pointed to PSG’s quality on the counterattack and Barcelona’s lack of freshness in the closing stages as key factors in the defeat, while acknowledging that his team’s preparations had not been ideal.

‘They have a lot of quality in transition. Also, in the final 10 minutes we weren’t fresh, although that’s not an excuse,’ he said.

‘We didn’t have the best preparation for this game. We have to analyse it and do things better.’

The defeat leaves Barcelona with lessons to address as they seek to maintain their challenge in Europe, with Flick insisting the performance must be examined rather than excused.

Despite the disappointing result, Flick found encouragement in the performance of young defender Xavi Espart, who impressed against the European champions.

‘He played a fantastic game. He’s incredible every time he plays,’ the Barcelona boss said.