Latest news with #LaLigaClasico
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Flick pledges to tighten Barcelona defence after thrilling Clasico
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick pledged to work on his team's defending next season after his side edged Real Madrid 4-3 in a thrilling La Liga Clasico on Sunday to put one hand on the title. The Catalans moved to the brink La Liga glory with their victory at the Olympic stadium, opening a seven-point gap on second place Madrid with three matches remaining. In the final stages Madrid spurned several good chances to equalise, while on Tuesday Inter Milan knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League semi-finals in a 4-3 win as the Catalans' defence crumbled. "It's not been easy for us to work on some things in training. I know that we have to improve (defensively) and we will do it next season," Flick told reporters. Barcelona play with a high defensive line and Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick and two disallowed goals, and Vinicius Junior breached it several times. At the other end, his team's talented attacking stars have put 16 goals past Real Madrid in four meetings this season, Barca triumphing every time. The Catalans were also ousted by Inter 7-6 on aggregate and have arguably been the most entertaining side in Europe this season. "For me, it's not always fun, sometimes I really suffer a lot," admitted Flick. "I'm really happy with what we are doing (in general), and of course, football is a game of making mistakes. "Hopefully, we can make things better and make fewer mistakes." Flick said he did not blame his defenders for the team's struggles to keep goals out, and that it was more of a systematic issue. "I think this journey that we started last year, it's not over – I know that we have to improve a lot in defence," added the coach. "It has nothing to do with the back four. When we make mistakes, Real have fantastic offensive players." Barcelona can wrap up the title with a win at local rivals Espanyol on Thursday, or before if Madrid lose against Real Mallorca on Wednesday. "It's football, you don't know what happens, but we're in a good position and we need three more points," said Flick. "This is what we want to do as soon as possible, but every match will be tough, every opponent wants to win against us. "But we have the quality and when we play like today, I think we can get there."--AFP
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We'll defend better next season': Barca's Flick after wild Clasico win
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick celebrates with his staff after winning the Clasico on Sunday (LLUIS GENE) Barcelona coach Hansi Flick pledged to work on his team's defending next season after his side edged Real Madrid 4-3 in a thrilling La Liga Clasico on Sunday to put one hand on the title. The Catalans moved to the brink La Liga glory with their victory at the Olympic stadium, opening a seven-point gap on second place Madrid with three matches remaining. Advertisement In the final stages Madrid spurned several good chances to equalise, while on Tuesday Inter Milan knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League semi-finals in a 4-3 win as the Catalans' defence crumbled. "It's not been easy for us to work on some things in training. I know that we have to improve (defensively) and we will do it next season," Flick told reporters. Barcelona play with a high defensive line and Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick and two disallowed goals, and Vinicius Junior breached it several times. At the other end, his team's talented attacking stars have put 16 goals past Real Madrid in four meetings this season, Barca triumphing every time. Advertisement The Catalans were also ousted by Inter 7-6 on aggregate and have arguably been the most entertaining side in Europe this season. "For me, it's not always fun, sometimes I really suffer a lot," admitted Flick. "I'm really happy with what we are doing (in general), and of course, football is a game of making mistakes. "Hopefully, we can make things better and make fewer mistakes." Flick said he did not blame his defenders for the team's struggles to keep goals out, and that it was more of a systematic issue. "I think this journey that we started last year, it's not over -- I know that we have to improve a lot in defence," added the coach. Advertisement "It has nothing to do with the back four. When we make mistakes, Real have fantastic offensive players." Barcelona can wrap up the title with a win at local rivals Espanyol on Thursday, or before if Madrid lose against Real Mallorca on Wednesday. "It's football, you don't know what happens, but we're in a good position and we need three more points," said Flick. "This is what we want to do as soon as possible, but every match will be tough, every opponent wants to win against us. "But we have the quality and when we play like today, I think we can get there." rbs/bsp
New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Flick wants 'dominant' Barca in vital Liga Clasico
BARCELONA: Hansi Flick called on his Barcelona players to brush off their Champions League semi-final elimination and bounce back strongly against Real Madrid tomorrow in a vital La Liga Clasico. Barca lead the Spanish top flight by four points ahead of rivals and defending champions Real Madrid with four matches remaining. The Catalans were ousted in Europe on Tuesday by Inter Milan, ending dreams of a potential quadruple. "We spoke about what they (the players) are thinking, what they are feeling, it's important in a group that we speak about that," Flick told a news conference today. "Everyone knows that in a Clasico you have to be on your highest level, that's what we have to do. "We want to be active, we want to see the team (play) with intensity on the pitch, dominant as normal, and we know it's a really fantastic team from Real (against us)." Barcelona have beaten Real Madrid in all three Clasicos played this season, beginning with a 4-0 win in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu in October. The Catalans then thrashed Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in January and edged them 3-2 in extra-time in the Copa del Rey final in April. Even if Barcelona lost they would still be top of the table by a point, but Flick said his team was out to defeat Los Blancos again. "We always go into the match to win the match, doesn't matter about the table," he added. "(We'll) focus on this match, give everything to get three points... "The Clasico is important for our fans, everyone, for Barca, for the players, for me, my coaching staff, it's great to play against them and compete against them." Barcelona were handed a boost as Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado were passed fit to play today after injury. Midfielder Casado has been missing for almost two months after a knee ligament injury, while Balde missed the last month with a hamstring problem. Robert Lewandowski returned from injury to play as a substitute against Inter on Tuesday. Flick said all three players were more likely to be on the bench on Sunday than to be selected as starters. "After this match we have three more matches," noted the coach. - AFP
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flick wants 'dominant' Barca in vital Liga Clasico
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants his players to bounce back against Real Madrid on Sunday (Josep LAGO) Hansi Flick called on his Barcelona players to brush off their Champions League semi-final elimination and bounce back strongly against Real Madrid on Sunday in a vital La Liga Clasico. Barca lead the Spanish top flight by four points ahead of rivals and defending champions Real Madrid with four matches remaining. Advertisement The Catalans were ousted in Europe on Tuesday by Inter Milan, ending dreams of a potential quadruple. "We spoke about what they (the players) are thinking, what they are feeling, it's important in a group that we speak about that," Flick told a news conference Saturday. "Everyone knows that in a Clasico you have to be on your highest level, that's what we have to do. "We want to be active, we want to see the team (play) with intensity on the pitch, dominant as normal, and we know it's a really fantastic team from Real (against us)." Barcelona have beaten Real Madrid in all three Clasicos played this season, beginning with a 4-0 win in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu in October. Advertisement The Catalans then thrashed Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in January and edged them 3-2 in extra-time in the Copa del Rey final in April. Even if Barcelona lost they would still be top of the table by a point, but Flick said his team was out to defeat Los Blancos again. "We always go into the match to win the match, doesn't matter about the table," he added. "(We'll) focus on this match, give everything to get three points... "The Clasico is important for our fans, everyone, for Barca, for the players, for me, my coaching staff, it's great to play against them and compete against them." Advertisement Barcelona were handed a boost as Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado were passed fit to play on Saturday after injury. Midfielder Casado has been missing for almost two months after a knee ligament injury, while Balde missed the last month with a hamstring problem. Robert Lewandowski returned from injury to play as a substitute against Inter on Tuesday. Flick said all three players were more likely to be on the bench on Sunday than to be selected as starters. "After this match we have three more matches," noted the coach. rbs/nr
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Clasico the last chance saloon for Ancelotti's Real Madrid
BARCELONA: Real Madrid's season appeared disastrous a few weeks ago but if Carlo Ancelotti's side can finally beat rivals Barcelona in Sunday's La Liga Clasico, their title defence will be resuscitated. Madrid were left licking their wounds after a Champions League quarter-final thrashing by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is poised to depart at the end of the season, but it could yet be with a major trophy in his hands. Barcelona's European exit at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday brightened spirits in the Spanish capital and if Madrid can overhaul the Catalans at the top of the table, they could transform their season. The nature of Madrid's rivalry with Barcelona means winning La Liga could either feel great or underwhelming, depending on how their nemesis fares in Europe. With Barcelona's quadruple dream crushed by Inter, should Madrid defend their title they could even classify their season as a success. The Catalans, who currently lead by four points with four matches remaining, would be left with only the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, both of which they won by beating Real Madrid in the final. To do that Madrid must manage something they have not been able to pull off all season -- winning a Clasico. "We will have a great opportunity, we have to prepare well -- it's an almost decisive match," said Ancelotti. The teams have faced off three times and Barcelona triumphed on each occasion, in the two aforementioned finals and in the first league clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in October. Barcelona netted 12 goals across the four games, conceding four, with Hansi Flick's side outplaying Madrid on each occasion. However their meeting in Seville in April in the Copa del Rey final was the closest Ancelotti's team have come. Madrid took the game to extra-time and their Italian coach discovered a set-up which allowed his team to take Barca to the wire. Operating in the second half with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the forwards, and Rodrygo Goes substituted, Madrid found the balance they have badly lacked at times this season. "The last match was competitive, we were very close to winning and I don't think we have to invent a lot of new things (tactically)," said Ancelotti. "We have to try and play a serious game, and we will do so with all the confidence in the world. "Despite all our problems, the fact we are here and we can fight in this match is something beautiful." Last weekend against Celta Vigo Ancelotti also afforded Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler a rare start and he impressed in midfield, providing impetus which the retired Toni Kroos gave last season, as Madrid won a La Liga and Champions League double. Guler also impressed as a substitute in the Copa final and Ancelotti may start him at the Olympic stadium this weekend. "At Madrid you have to suck it up on the bench before you become an indisputable start in this team -- Arda has the profile of a player who could be a starter at Madrid," said Ancelotti. "He sucked it up on the bench, he didn't get annoyed and he has evolved... he's not the same Guler from last September." Atletico Madrid's Norwegian target man has played a key role off the bench this season but in the final weeks of the campaign, coach Diego Simeone is giving him more chances from the start. He is set to lead the line against his former side Real Sociedad on Saturday. - AFP
