Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona faced each other on Wednesday at the Montjuïc Stadium for the second matchday of the 2025-2026 Champions League. The match ended with a 2-1 victory for the Parisian side. After the match, the Spanish team’s coach, Hansi Flick, spoke at the press conference.
Flick: “After 30 minutes, PSG had more control”
How do you feel after this match?
We started the match very well, but after 30 minutes, PSG had more control. We lost control, we no longer had our structure, and we didn’t play at our best level. That’s very important in this competition, even more so against such an opponent. They deserved their victory.
Were there any differences in terms of football style or physical condition?
In the second half, we could see that some players were really tired. We addressed that. They gave everything. With the score at 1-1, we had to defend well and have better structure. We are learning, we must improve for the next matches against teams of this level.
Flick: “We’ve had a lot of matches. We must learn, do better, and work harder.”
Does this defeat show that Barça is still a little way behind the European champions?
Today, it’s pointless to say that we are at the same level. But I believe in my team, and this wasn’t our best day. We are working to reach that level. That’s football. Today we lost, but we want to come back. We have to work to achieve that.
Was there a physical aspect that played a role? Or was it the style of play?
It’s a bit of both; it’s always like that. When you are tired, it shows. PSG’s philosophy is fantastic, with young players. They have a lot of quality, speed with the ball. That’s just how it is. They had fresh legs. They improved the team. We’ve had a lot of matches. We have to learn, improve, and work harder.
Flick: “It’s a 90-minute game. The entire team has to attack and defend.”
What did you learn from this match?
As I often say, the most important thing is structure. In the second half, we lost that structure. But some players were fantastic, and that’s good to see. We train to improve, and this match will help us.
We saw the level of PSG, and I’m sure we can play like that. But it’s a 90-minute game. The entire team has to attack and defend; everyone has to be constantly involved. You see that with PSG. Everyone wants the ball and knows what to do. We have to improve. We have to accept the defeat; PSG deserved it.
Flick: “We have to learn.”
A major disappointment?
Of course, we are disappointed. Also, when you’re 1-1 at the 90th minute, you have to play more intelligently. That transition leading to the goal shouldn’t have happened. We have to learn, have better structure, and occupy spaces better.
A dominant first half before suffering in the second?
We had some opportunities; we could have won. But in the second half, we struggled. There was fatigue; we have to consider that.
A possible red card for Nuno Mendes on Yamal?
The referee indicated that Fabian Ruiz committed the foul.
What are the feelings within the group?
We are disappointed, which is normal. We wanted to perform much better. Everyone is disappointed. But that’s the way it is; that’s football; we have to accept it. We have to work.
