In a thrilling showdown, Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick highlighted the unwavering mentality of his squad as the driving force behind their sensational 5-4 comeback victory against Benfica on Tuesday, a triumph that catapulted them into the Champions League last 16.
After a frustrating 1-1 stalemate against Getafe, Barcelona was in a tough spot, trailing 3-1 at the break. Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis was the show’s star, completing a hat-trick by capitalising on some lacklustre defending from the Catalan side.
In a thrilling second half, the team showed resilience, battling back from a 4-2 deficit late in the game. With crucial goals from Robert Lewandowski, Eric Garcia, and Raphinha, they orchestrated a stunning comeback that left fans on the edge of their seats.
“What a wild matchup we witnessed!” The standout highlight was undoubtedly the mentality we brought to the game. The team made a remarkable comeback, and it’s truly a fantastic achievement! “That’s the essence of the game, and that’s what keeps us coming back for more,” Flick shared with Movistar.
“This is a comeback for the ages, one that I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed before.” What an unbelievable turn of events! The first half was a struggle for us on the pitch. They came out strong and struck first on the scoreboard!
“We were forced to defend deep in our territory.” We found ourselves out of position on that play. In the second half, we stepped up our game, and those substitutions significantly impacted us.
Flick’s bold move to start custodian Wojciech Szczesny over Inaki Pena raised eyebrows, and it quickly became a high-stakes gamble as Szczesny’s mistakes resulted in two goals for Benfica in the first half, putting his team in a tough spot.
In a bold move, the Barca boss threw his support behind Szczesny, noting that the 34-year-old showed significant improvement after the halftime break.
“Which player is flawless on the pitch?” It’s just part of the game. “Szczesny had a few slip-ups, but let’s not forget, it was a tough first half for all the players,” Flick commented.
“It’s all about unity in victory and defeat.” We’re coming together as a unit! The second half showcased some impressive skills, as he made a crucial save on a clear opportunity for Benfica.
Flick emphasised that his squad must shift their focus to the upcoming clash at home against Valencia in La Liga. Currently sitting in third place, they trail the leaders, Real Madrid, by seven points. Next up, they take on Atalanta in a thrilling home matchup in the Champions League.
“The wins are crucial as they bolster our faith in this initiative and send a powerful message to the young talent that we are committed to growth and improvement,” he stated.
