Champions League: Barcelona boss Hansi Flick sees positives despite Monaco loss

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said that he can see positives from his side's performance despite their loss to AS Monaco in the Champions League on Thursday, September 19. Barca lost 2-1 after Eric Garcia got a red card.

In Short

• AS Monaco defeated Barcelona 2-1
• Flick said the red card changed the game completely
• Flick said he was happy with his side's performance despite the loss

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick remains unconcerned despite his team's 2-1 defeat to Monaco in their Champions League opener on Thursday. The match took a turn when Eric Garcia was sent off just 11 minutes in, allowing Monaco to capitalise on their numerical advantage with goals from Maghnes Akliouche and George Ilenikhena.

Although this marked Flick’s first loss in charge following a five-match winning streak in La Liga, he remained upbeat, encouraging his players to focus on the challenges ahead. Speaking to the reporters, as quoted by Reuters, the Barca boss said that the red card changed the game for his side, but he could see the positives. Flick felt that Barcelona defended as a team and attacked well.

The German said he told his players to keep their heads up and recover for the LaLiga fixture against Villareal. Flick felt his players gave more than 100 percent and gave their best in the situation.

"With (Garcia's) red card the game changed totally, but I can see the positives. We tried to defend as a team and attack as a team. We had chances but they deserved to win," Flick told reporters.

"I have told the team to lift their heads up because they are disappointed, but we have to focus on Sunday (LaLiga match at Villarreal), which is our next game. It's the time to recover, hopefully players will be back with a lot of energy."

"We have players that gave more than 100 percent, every player tried to give their best in this situation. I'm really proud of this team, but we have to accept how we lost today."

Reflecting on last season’s painful Champions League exit after a 4-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, where Ronald Araujo also received a red card, Flick rejected the idea that Barcelona struggles in Europe's elite competition. He expressed confidence in the team's potential to challenge for the title they last won in 2015.

"Today you see this situation with a red card after 11 minutes, it changed our match plan, we have to accept it, this happens," the former Bayern Munich manager said.

"But we are strong enough to play a good Champions League, we have seven matches ahead and I think we will win many matches."

Barcelona will next play Young Boys at home in their second fixture in the Champions League.