Barcelona were not at PSG´s level, concedes Flick – Soccer News

Hansi Flick admitted that Barcelona were not at Paris Saint-Germain’s level in their 2-1 Champions League loss on Wednesday.

Barcelona took the lead in the 19th minute through Ferran Torres, but they were pegged back before the break by Senny Mayulu, before Goncalo Ramos netted a late winner for the reigning champions.

It was just the second 90th-minute winning goal against Barcelona in Champions League history, and the first ever scored away from home against the Blaugrana in any major European competition.

Barca have only lost three of their last 52 Champions League matches when scoring the opening goal – all three have been at home to PSG (previously 1-4 in February 2021 and 1-4 in April 2024).

Flick’s side dominated in the first half, and he acknowledged that a quieter second half had ultimately cost them.

“We started very well, but after 30 minutes they controlled the game better, and we dissolved,” Flick said. “In the second half, they were better, and we weren’t at our best.

“We can’t say we’re at their [PSG’s] level. But I believe in my team, and we didn’t see our best. We lost, but we want to get back to our best, and that’s why we have to train and improve. We’ll see what we did wrong.

“We didn’t have our structure in the second half. We have to train and improve. The game helps us a lot. I’m sure we can play like PSG, but we have to hold on.

“The whole team has to attack; everyone has to defend. At PSG, everyone knows how to exploit space, how to play two-on-one.”

One positive for Barcelona was that Torres’ goal means they have now scored in 45 consecutive matches in all competitions, a run stretching back to December 2024. It is their longest scoring run in their entire history.

Marcus Rashford has played his role in that run recently – he has been involved in seven goals in his last seven games for club and country (three goals, four assists), assisting in each of his last three outings for Barcelona.

But Flick did not want to focus on the record as it could not be celebrated with a victory.

“I don’t want to think about the record,” Flick said. “We lost, and I don’t like losing. We could have scored more. We have to accept defeat.

“If you’re tired, what happened in the second half happens. Their philosophy is fantastic; their young players are also very good.

“They came in with fresh legs and raised their level, not lowered it. We’ll talk on Friday to see what we need to improve.”