Flick Urges Barcelona To Regroup After Champions League Heartbreak, Eyes Domestic Glory

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has backed his squad to recover from a gut-wrenching Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Inter Milan, emphasizing resilience and a renewed focus on finishing the season strong.

In what was an electrifying two-legged encounter, the tie ended 7–6 on aggregate in favour of the Italian side, dashing Barcelona’s hopes of a historic quadruple in Flick’s debut season at the helm. The German coach, however, struck a defiant tone in the aftermath, praising his players’ effort and insisting that the club’s European ambitions remain undeterred.

“I’m proud of my team, proud of the way we fought,” Flick told reporters in a post-match press conference. “Sometimes in football, you give everything and still fall short. That’s part of the game. We’ll accept it, learn from it, and come back stronger. Winning the Champions League remains one of our key goals, and we’ll be back next season.”

The loss marks a significant but not fatal blow to what has otherwise been a successful campaign for Flick. Since taking over last summer, he has guided Barcelona to victories in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey, putting them on track for a potential domestic treble. The next hurdle is a crucial El Clásico clash against Real Madrid this Sunday, with Barça holding a narrow four-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Acknowledging the emotional and physical toll of the Champions League exit, Flick called on his players to regroup and focus on the remaining objectives.

“La Liga is still in our hands, and Sunday’s match will be another tough battle,” he said. “But I know this team—they’ll give everything. When they get home in the early hours and look in the mirror, they can be proud of how far they’ve come and what they’ve given.”

Barcelona’s season is now at a defining moment, with the pain of European disappointment fueling their pursuit of domestic glory. As Flick looks to galvanize his squad for the final stretch, all eyes will be on how the Catalan giants respond—and whether they can turn heartbreak into motivation.