Flick After Clasico Defeat: "I Accept No Excuses"

FC Barcelona is trying to get back on its feet after consecutive defeats in the Champions League and the Spanish Clasico.

Barcelona started the season convincingly, both in the Champions League and the Spanish league. But when they faced their biggest challengers – Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and arch-rival Real Madrid in La Liga – the Catalan club showed weaknesses.

A 2-4 defeat at PSG last Tuesday was followed by a 1-2 home loss against Madrid on Sunday. Barcelona did not look like the team that had been among Europe's most dominant so far.

"Defeats are Part of Football"

"In big games, the details are very important, and today they didn't go in our favor," said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick after the defeat to Madrid. "Defeats are part of football. We have to analyze what happened, do things better, and we will. Today we weren't fresh, and we need to change that."

The German also attributed the lack of freshness to the travel strain due to several consecutive English weeks. "But I don't want to talk about it when we lose, but when we win. And I accept no excuses," he said.

Missed Start Record

The defeat against Real meant the Catalans missed out on setting a sole La Liga start record with ten wins. Nine wins at the start had previously also been achieved by Real in the 1968/69 season.

Barcelona had won their first eleven games, outscoring opponents 48-11, with at least three goals scored in ten matches.

Kylian Mbappé scored two goals for Madrid, who are now three points behind Barcelona in the Spanish table. Atlético Madrid, who beat Deportivo La Coruña 1-0 at home on Saturday, are two points behind Barcelona.

Focus on Reaction and Next Tasks

"What matters now is how we react," said Flick. "We need to refocus. Everyone has to make the right decisions. Rest properly, train well, and react to these defeats."

Barcelona's next games are against Alaves in the Spanish league on Saturday and against Aston Villa in the Champions League next week, both at home.

Injury Worries Burden the Defense

Flick lamented the renewed loss of a player to injury on Sunday when defender Xavi Espart had to be substituted in the first half against Madrid. The defense was already weakened by the absences of Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé, and Eric García.

A mistake by Gerard Martín in the penalty area led to Madrid's first goal in the Clasico. "The injuries are the biggest concern," Flick said.

Lamine Yamal was not at his best against Madrid, for whom Kylian Mbappé scored two goals. Raphinha, Barcelona's top scorer, scored the team's only goal. Yamal missed a clear chance from close range in the first half that could have changed the course of the game.

Barcelona improved in the second half, scoring the equalizer, but let the result slip away late in the game after poor defensive work on a Madrid counter-attack.

"We didn't play a great game overall. In the first half, we weren't ourselves. There were many things we could have done better," said Barcelona midfielder Pedri. "We were very slow and had many silly turnovers, and against these teams, you pay the price. We need to improve if we want to move forward."

Mourinho Delighted with Prestigious Victory

Meanwhile, his counterpart Jose Mourinho celebrated an important prestigious victory - 13 years after his last Clasico as Real coach.

"It was the most difficult game, against the opponent with the highest quality, who had only won in the league," explained the Portuguese. "For us, it's the victory with the most impressive performance."