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Barca now have to pick themselves up to face Real Madrid on Sunday, as they will try to extend their four-point lead over their arch rivals at the top of La Liga.
Hansi Flick consoles Lamine Yamal after Barcelona’s loss against Inter (AP)
Football can be cruel, and it sure was to Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, who fell short at the penultimate step to a spirited Inter 4-3 in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals, losing out 7-6 on aggregate on Tuesday.
But, no one can deny the utter defying of expectations that the German had achieved with the Blaugranas, spearheading them to becoming a feared presence in Europe yet again.
Flick, too, believes that this is merely the beginning for the rejuvenated Barcelona, who he deems will bounce back next season to compete for glory yet again.
Barca were gunning for a quadruple in Flick’s first season as coach, but will have to go again in Europe’s top club competition after a defeat which was hard to digest.
“I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of your team, we gave everything, and sometimes it’s like that,” Flick told reporters.
“We have to accept it, and we start again next season. To win the Champions League, this is one of our goals… We will be back next season.”
Barca now have to pick themselves up to face Real Madrid on Sunday, as they will try to extend their four-point lead over their arch rivals at the top of La Liga.
Flick has already won the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey and is still favourite to complete a domestic treble.
“And of course, La Liga, it will also be a tough match on Sunday, but we also give everything,” added Flick.
“When they (the players) look in the mirror when they arrive at home at three or four o’clock in the night, or in the morning, I think they can be very proud.”
On the other hand, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter will now face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this month in Munich.
After coming out on top in an epic contest — reaching their second Champions League final in three seasons — Inter will feel they have a great chance to be crowned kings of Europe for a fourth time.
(with agency inputs)
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