Barcelona drew 3-3 with Inter Milan in a thrilling first-leg Champions League semi-final at the Estadio Olimpico in Catalonia on Wednesday evening.
The decision on who advances to the final will now be made in the second leg, which will be played next Tuesday at the San Siro.
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According to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, German coach Hansi Flick was deeply disappointed by the result and had hoped Barcelona would secure a win before the difficult return leg in Italy.
The newspaper indicated that Flick went to console Barcelona star and Man of the Match Lamine Yamal, who was deeply upset by the disappointing outcome.
The German coach met with Yamal immediately after the match and told him: “You gave everything and helped Barcelona come back after all your teammates collapsed. We are all lucky to have you.”
Hansi Flick also acknowledged one of Barcelona’s standout performers in the match, Spanish star Pedri, who continued to fight despite being extremely fatigued. He told him in front of everyone: “Regardless of what happens until the end of the season, I take my hat off to you for everything you’ve given me and the team this season. I’m proud to have you on my team.”
The newspaper added that Flick lost his temper when confronting Barcelona’s worst performer in the match, Gerard Martín, who was forced to be substituted by Araujo. Flick decided to permanently exclude him from the squad for the remainder of the season.
Flick admitted to his assistant after the match that he had paid a heavy price for his decision to include Gerard Martín in the starting lineup, a decision that brought Barcelona closer to a European exit following this result.
In a surprising development, the Barcelona president entered the Catalan team’s dressing room and went directly to the star of the match, Lamine Yamal, telling him: “Your performance tonight makes you the most prominent candidate to win the Ballon d’Or. I want the same level from you in the return match, and we’ll reach the final.”
In another unexpected moment, Laporta spoke with Flick and warned him against repeating the mistake of using a high defensive line in the return leg, as he did tonight, and relying on the offside trap — especially considering the extreme fatigue affecting the Catalan players.
The newspaper concluded by stating that Laporta told Flick that Barcelona is missing Alejandro Balde, whose absence has left a significant void on the left flank, leaving Raphinha completely isolated on that side.
