Flick overjoyed after Barcelona beat Real Madrid to win Copa del Rey – ‘Simply a perfect night’ | OneFootball

Barcelona won the second trophy of the Hansi Flick era on Saturday night as they defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in a hard-fought encounter to lift the Copa del Rey.

The Blaugrana took an early lead through midfield sensation Pedri, but Real Madrid staged a second-half comeback with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni.

With not much time left in the game, Ferran Torres stepped up to equalise for Barcelona, forcing the game into extra time and Jules Kounde came up with a stunning goal in the second half of the extended period to win it for his team.

It was a special win for Barcelona, made even sweeter by the fact that they had overcome their most bitter rivals who presented many hurdles.

Flick ecstatic

Flick has instilled a fully competitive and winning spirit in the Barcelona locker room which was on full display last night in Seville.

Naturally, the German tactician was full of praise for his players, saying: “I’m happy for my team and for the great job the players have done. It was absolutely incredible the way they fought, how they managed to come back…. I’m very proud of my team.”

Dedicating the title win to the fans, Flick added: “Winning a title in a game like the Clasico against Real Madrid is always special. I’m happy for my players and for the 26,000 Barcelona fans who were in the stands, they deserved this title.”

On whether the treble is within Barça’s grasp, the manager said: “Now we must celebrate this title and then the objective must be to recover, recover and recover. The treble is a possibility, but we have to keep working.”

Continuing to praise the Barcelona players for their attitude and determination, Flick remarked:

“I’m very proud. For me, it’s incredible what they are doing, how they fight. I really appreciate what they do, they never give up. I think everyone, the club, the fans, are proud of this team.”

Flick led Barcelona to a second trophy this season. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

On the team’s celebrations after the win and how he got emotional, Flick added: “When I saw the celebration of the people, the players and the staff, I was very emotional. The players deserved it.

“It was a great victory. In the second half, Madrid did well, but we equalised and Kounde was able to score the winning goal. It’s exciting and unbelievable.”

Discussing his role in the success that Barcelona have enjoyed so far this season, the former Germany manager said:

“At the beginning of the season I said that I was here, with my assistants, to create a good atmosphere in the dressing room. That they could enjoy the game and that they could play at the highest level.

“I think creating that atmosphere in the dressing room is important and key. It gives a lot of confidence. This is a matter of everybody. The staff, the players… They have a fantastic mentality.

“If you see how they came back from the game, the ability to think positively to turn it around…. And Jules did that. It was simply a perfect night.”

Signing off, Flick reserved some praise for match-winner Kounde as well as his fellow defender Pau Cubarsi, saying:

“All of them. Kounde, apart from the goal, saved two in the second half. And Pau, of course, at 18 years old, is fantastic. I’m happy for him.”

Source: AS