Manager of FC Barcelona, Hansi Flick, has attributed his side’s defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-final clash to a lack of fortune.
Barcelona suffered a setback on Wednesday night at the Camp Nou, as the visitors secured a crucial away victory to take control of the tie.
Naijaonpoint reports that Goals from Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth handed the side managed by Diego Simeone a vital first-leg advantage over the Catalan giants.
The result leaves Barcelona with a mountain to climb ahead of the return leg.
Speaking during his post-match interview, Flick admitted that his team could have done better defensively, particularly in the build-up to the opening goal.
“On the first goal, we needed to defend much better, and the red card led to a free-kick goal. We could’ve done better,” he said.
The German tactician suggested that the sending-off significantly altered the course of the match, putting his side at a disadvantage.
Despite the defeat, Flick maintained that his players showed commitment and quality throughout the encounter, even after being reduced to 10 men.
“We played well in the first and second half, even with a player less. We gave everything, but today luck was not on our side. It’s not over yet,” he added.
Flick, however, expressed optimism that Barcelona can overturn the deficit in the second leg and secure a place in the semi-finals.
“We’ll try, we’ll fight. The semi-final might seem far away now, but we’ll try to be there,” he said.
The defeat puts pressure on Barcelona ahead of the decisive return leg, as they seek to keep their Champions League hopes alive against a resilient Atletico side.
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