Hansi Flick said his Barcelona players deserve respect in Europe, despite their Champions League semifinal loss to Inter Milan.
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Barcelona players “deserve respect”
Raphinha’s 87th-minute strike put Barca ahead and seemed to march their way to victory.
However, veteran defender Francesco Acerbi sent the match into extra time before Davide Frattesi struck the decisive goal to seal a 7-6 aggregate win and book the Serie A side’s place in the final.
“I think the team, the players deserve that they have respect [in Europe],” Flick said.
“But we are playing for winning titles. We want to win titles. Next season we want to do it. This is one of our goals. We will be back next season in the Champions League.”
This season’s run to the semi-finals proved that Barca can once again compete with Europe’s top clubs.
However, Flick believes his side must improve defensively to take the next step, after conceding seven goals across the two games against Inter.
“Of course we could do more [defensively],” Flick added. “At the end, Inter’s strikers are really good. They can keep the ball. They’re really strong, but they’re also experienced.”
“We have a young team. We will improve, of course. This is our job, to make this team better and better. We can improve in defence, of course, but also in attack.”
“We gave everything”
Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was also the hero of the match, making two crucial late saves, including one against Barça’s young star Lamine Yamal.
It has now been 10 years since Barca last reached the Champions League final.
The Catalan giants last won the competition in 2015, defeating Juventus to lift the trophy.
Since then, they have suffered defeats to Roma and Liverpool, in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Flick was proud of his team’s performance, but he also complained about the officiating.
“I know everyone is disappointed,” Flick added. “We came back again and I think some decisions were 50-50, always for Inter, but it’s like that, we have to accept it, it’s football.
“We can be proud about our performance. I am proud of my team. We gave everything. Sometimes it’s like that, you feel a little bit unfair. Some decisions the referee made were maybe not on our side, but we have to accept it.
“Maybe I have [said] too much about the referees, so I also want to congratulate Inter, they did a great job in both games, and good luck in the final.”
