‘A Long Way to Go’ — Flick Keeps Barcelona Grounded
FC Barcelona opened their UEFA Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Feyenoord 5-1 at the Spotify Camp Nou, and the performance left Hansi Flick in a reflective mood once the final whistle sounded. The German coach used his post-match press conference to praise the impact of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, while also making clear that satisfaction with the result does not mean the work is done. That balance between individual recognition and collective demand defined much of what Flick had to say afterward, as detailed in SempreBarca’s coverage of the Feyenoord win.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick addressed reporters directly after the match on September 9, 2026, touching on the dressing room atmosphere, the individual seasons being enjoyed by Yamal and Raphinha, and the areas where his side still has ground to cover.
Flick was unambiguous in his admiration for his captain on the night. He described Yamal, who scored one of Barcelona’s five goals, as a special and magnificent player, and said the forward deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. He extended similar praise to Raphinha, arguing that the Brazilian should also have featured on the Ballon d’Or list, even if that is not something the club can influence.
The comments carry weight given the context of the display itself, and they echo the kind of individual scrutiny Yamal has faced this season, a theme explored further in SempreBarca’s look at the criticism surrounding Yamal. Flick was careful, though, to frame the conversation around the collective rather than any single name, noting that with so many good players wanting minutes, the priority always has to be the team, a management challenge also visible in recent performances covered in SempreBarca’s player ratings from another lopsided win.
On the broader picture, Flick pointed to the volume of goals scored across Barcelona’s first five matches of the season and credited the team’s control of games, its quality on the ball, its adaptability in transition and its work out of possession. He singled out the training session that followed the Valencia match as the best of the campaign so far, and said the squad’s depth allows him to rotate without losing the team’s core idea.
Barcelona will not have long to enjoy the win. The Catalans return to action in four days against Levante in La Liga, and Flick was quick to remind everyone that the season is still only beginning, with a long way to go before May.
