Flick Reveals The Key to Barcelona's Defeat Against Monaco in The ...

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted that the expulsion of defender Eric García in the eleventh minute "completely changed the game" this Thursday against Monaco in the first matchday of the Champions League, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Blaugranas.

"We defended with a lot of passion, we tried to keep the defense compact and stick together, but they were attacking with a lot of very fast players. It wasn't easy to defend. The red card completely changed the game," the German coach said from the press room at the Louis II Stadium.

Flick denied that his changes came too late and assured that "the good part" of the match was that Barcelona tried "to defend and attack as a team" and created opportunities at the start of the second half.

"I told the players to keep their heads up because they were very disappointed. We have to focus on Sunday, as we have a tough match against Villarreal. It’s time to recover our energy because it’s important to win in LaLiga and maintain a positive trend," he explained.

The Barcelona coach said that Lamine Yamal "tried a lot" in attack but faced "very tight marking" and that he substituted both him and Pau Cubarsí in the second half "thinking about Sunday's match."

Flick clarified that Marc Casadó, who finished the game in pain, "just received a knock," and emphasized that the youth academy midfielder is one of those players who "always give more than 100%."

The German coach said he was "proud" of his team but stated that they must "accept this defeat" because more matches will come, and Barcelona will be "a stronger team" when the injured players return.

About striker Ansu Fati, who entered the final stretch of the match and made his season debut, Flick explained that he "brings quality" and "needs time" after being injured. "We have to take care of him because it’s important for good players to play and not get injured again," he concluded.