Sports
After a Brutal 3-0 Loss, What Exactly Did Flick See That Was Positive?
Barcelona were outplayed, outworked and outthought in their 3-0 Champions League loss to Chelsea — yet manager Hansi Flick refused to panic.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
The defeat came courtesy of a Jules Kounde own goal and sharp finishes from Estevao and Liam Delap, as Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea dominated almost every phase of the match. The Blaugrana struggled to build rhythm, repeatedly losing the ball under Chelsea’s fierce pressure.
But after the game, Flick remained composed.
He admitted his side made “big ball losses” and “unusual mistakes,” acknowledging that these careless moments allowed Chelsea to punish them. Still, he insisted the performance wasn’t all doom.
According to Flick, there were encouraging signs — details he believes can be built upon rather than discarded. And in what may be the real silver lining of the night, both Marcus Rashford and Raphinha made their returns to action.
Raphinha had spent months out injured, while Rashford missed Barcelona’s recent LaLiga win through illness. Their reappearance gave Flick something meaningful to smile about.
“I am happy Raphinha is back and Marcus is at this level,” he said. “I prefer to look positively.”
Barcelona may have been humbled at Stamford Bridge, but Flick is convinced this setback can become a stepping stone rather than a spiral.
Marcus Rashford showed once again why Barcelona may want to keep him beyond this season, delivering a decisive performance in their crucial Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
With Barça struggling to break down a deep-defending opponent, Rashford stepped up and provided the spark Hansi Flick’s side desperately needed.
The Blaugrana dominated possession—as they often do—but lacked penetration in the final third. Rashford, introduced at half-time, immediately shifted the tempo.
His directness, urgency and willingness to try a different approach gave Barcelona a dimension they were missing, reports Barca Blaugranes
His moment of brilliance came with a perfect cross to Jules Kounde, a pass few in the squad could execute.
The power, accuracy and timing showed exactly why Rashford’s English background and style bring something different to the team.
Barcelona needed a new solution, and Rashford delivered it
From the left flank, Barcelona have struggled to find consistent end product this season, with Alejandro Balde offering energy but not always precision.
Rashford changed that instantly, taking risks and attacking the game rather than waiting for the ideal passing sequence. His influence also sparked Lamine Yamal, who soon created another aerial chance for Kounde.
Barcelona’s comeback keeps their Champions League top-eight hopes alive, with Slavia Prague and Copenhagen still to come. But Flick knows his side must be more pragmatic, not just dominant in possession.
Even with Raphinha returning, Rashford has proven he can be a match-winner off the bench. If he wants a long-term stay at Camp Nou, performances like this will strengthen his case.
On a night when Barcelona looked lost, Rashford became the difference maker.
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal now holds another Champions League record after the club’s 2-1 victory over Frankfurt on Tuesday night.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Yamal’s assist for Jules Kounde means he now has more goal involvements in the tournament than any other player aged 18 or younger.
The Spaniard has now beaten Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe’s record.
Barcelona had to come from behind to get the three points against Frankfurt at the Spotify Nou Camp.
Ansgar Knauff put the Bundesliga side in front before the break.
But in the second half, two goals from Kounde sealed an important victory for the Catalans, with Marcus Rashford and Yamal bagging assists.
Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has blamed a lack of control and fatigue for their 2-1 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Maresca’s men took the lead through Joao Pedro, before the Serie A side fought back to take all three points.
Gianluca Scamacca’s header levelled the game, before Charles De Ketelaere smashed in the winner in the 83rd minute.
“After we conceded the first goal, we lost control a little bit of the game,” Maresca told TNT Sports.
“We are playing every two days, two days, two days. For a moment we looked like we struggled a bit.
“We were aggressive like them. We had different chances to make it 2-0 and when we conceded 1-1 the dynamic of the game changed a little bit.”
Chelsea now have 10 points from six games, two points behind eighth-placed Liverpool.
The Blues welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge next in the Premier League this weekend.
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