FC Barcelona's victory over Borussia Dortmund by a landslide left many surprised, not only because of the score (4-0), but also due to the statements of their coach, Hansi Flick. Despite the result and Barça's superiority, Flick didn't consider the tie closed and remained cautious.
This has caused great controversy, with many soccer fans and experts questioning his sincerity.
Flick's Speech After the Victory
Flick, after the impressive triumph, was satisfied with his team's performance but tried to downplay the victory.
"Both things are important. We played very well and that's the most important thing. When you play like this, you end up scoring goals, which is what happened," expressed the German coach.
Although his words seemed to highlight Barça's good play, the emphasis on caution left a strange feeling. Despite the clarity of the victory, Flick was adamant:
"Not yet, no, no, no... you never know what can happen, soccer is a crazy sport. In Dortmund, we have to play like today, it's a very good team, we must have confidence and make few mistakes."
The Fans' Disbelief
Flick's statements didn't convince many, especially Barcelona fans. After a convincing 4-0, it was expected that the coach would acknowledge his team's total dominance, but instead, he appealed to prudence. This behavior was interpreted by many as a way to avoid recognizing Barcelona's superiority.
Barça's convincing victory showed that Dortmund was no match at Camp Nou, with Flick's team clearly on top. However, the coach insisted that "everything is yet to be decided," hinting that he didn't fully trust the advantage gained. This attitude was seen as an excuse not to give in, generating doubts about his sincerity.
The Second Leg of the Tie
Although Barça has a significant advantage, the tie isn't closed. The second leg in Dortmund remains, and as Flick rightly said, "soccer is a crazy sport," so anything could happen. Despite Barça's superiority, Flick's caution reflects his awareness that Dortmund can put up a fight.
Nevertheless, many believe that Barça, with the performance they showed, has everything to seal their passage to the semifinals. Hansi's team is in great form, and Dortmund would need a historic comeback to overcome the 4-0. Flick's words don't help reassure anyone; on the contrary, they seem to detract from a victory that was clear and convincing.