Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, appeared visibly upset following his team’s 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Despite the fact that Barcelona still progressed to the semifinals thanks to a 5-3 win on aggregate, Flick was dissatisfied with the overall performance—particularly with the defensive effort displayed during the match.
Mistakes from key players contributed to his frustration. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny gave away a penalty, while defender Ronald Araújo had difficulty managing the pressure at the back. These errors seemed to especially aggravate Flick, who was frequently seen expressing his displeasure on the sidelines. It was arguably the most disappointing first half he has experienced since taking charge of the team.
Although Flick refrained from publicly criticizing individual players in his post-match comments, his demeanor and gestures made his feelings clear. His reaction served as a strong indication that he expects significant improvement in the team’s defensive organization and discipline before they meet either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the upcoming semifinal round.
