Hansi Flick recently spoke at a press conference where he addressed Real Madrid’s concerns and comments about refereeing decisions. His response was direct and firm, reflecting Bayern Munich’s professional stance on such matters.
Flick referenced past incidents when Carlo Ancelotti, during his tenure as Bayern Munich’s coach, expressed frustration over referee decisions that allegedly favored Real Madrid, particularly during a controversial match at the Bernabéu. He acknowledged that Real Madrid’s grievances, as highlighted by club president Florentino Pérez, had garnered international attention.
However, Flick firmly distanced Bayern Munich from such behavior, emphasizing that his team refrains from making excuses when faced with challenges. In response to questions regarding Real Madrid’s claims, he stated, “That’s not our way. We don’t make excuses.” He underlined that every team handles setbacks differently but stressed that blaming external factors isn’t constructive. Mistakes happen, he noted, and referees have a demanding role to fulfill.
When asked specifically about Real Madrid’s assertion that the league is biased or manipulated, Flick was resolute. He explained that Bayern Munich takes responsibility for its own performance, stating, “If we’ve dropped points, that’s on us. We must focus on improving and winning our games rather than pointing fingers.”
Flick also shifted focus to his team’s upcoming Copa del Rey match against Valencia, recognizing the challenge ahead. He reminded everyone that the context would be very different from their previous commanding 7-1 victory. On player updates, Flick revealed that Dani Olmo might be fit enough for a second-half appearance, though Gavi remained sidelined due to injury. He expressed satisfaction with having multiple capable players like Casadó and De Jong, emphasizing that success is about teamwork rather than reliance on individuals.
Regarding Dani Olmo, Flick highlighted the need for careful management due to the player’s injury history. Reflecting on a tough league encounter against Valencia earlier in the season, Flick underscored the importance of staying focused, warning that while tomorrow’s match wouldn’t win them the title, it could certainly jeopardize their chances.
As the press conference drew to a close, Flick shared personal sentiments about coaching Barcelona, expressing profound gratitude and joy, especially as he celebrated his 60th birthday. He described the experience as a dream come true and praised the club and its players.
Looking ahead to a possible rotation in their upcoming match against Sevilla, Flick confirmed that Iñaki Peña would not feature in the Copa del Rey, reaffirming Ter Stegen’s position as the team’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. His closing remarks reinforced his focus on maintaining discipline, teamwork, and accountability, values he holds as essential to Bayern Munich’s continued success.
