A Valuable Point in the Title Race

FC Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick viewed his team’s 1-1 draw with Betis as a step forward in the LaLiga title race. Speaking after the match at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Flick emphasized that the team now has “one game less” to play and “one more point” of advantage over Real Madrid, who fell 2-1 to Valencia on Saturday.

“We have one game less and one more point. That’s a good thing,” said Flick in his post-match press conference. “In the first half, we made too many mistakes. In the second, we improved, created chances, and tried to get a better result.” Although many expected a win after Madrid’s loss, Flick stressed that they faced “one of the best teams in LaLiga.”

Rotation, Realism, and Champions League Focus

The German coach explained that players like Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Ferran Torres were subbed out in the second half to manage their workload. “I’m happy with the team. They’re focused, even if we made too many mistakes early on—mistakes the opponent was looking for,” he added.

Flick praised Gavi’s performance, stating “he played very well,” and addressed Raphinha’s frustration at the final whistle. “He was mad at me, not the referee,” he laughed.

Looking ahead to the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Borussia Dortmund, Flick expressed confidence. “The training load isn’t too heavy now. What matters most is the players’ mentality and concentration,” he explained. He also confirmed that defender Iñigo Martínez, who missed the Betis match due to a minor muscle injury, will be available for the European clash.

As Barcelona continues its quest for domestic and European glory, every point—and every decision—counts.