Flick eyes treble after Barca edge Copa del Rey Clasico thriller

Hansi Flick set his eyes on the treble after Barcelona roared again to beat rivals Actual Madrid 3-2 in additional time in Saturday’s dramatic Copa del Rey last.

Barca – who paved the way in LaLiga and can face Inter within the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday – have been observing defeat with six minutes of the 90 remaining.

Objectives from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni put Madrid 2-1 up after Pedri had opened the scoring, however Ferran Torres’ equaliser despatched the sport to additional time.

And within the 116th minute, Jules Kounde pounced on Luka Modric’s free go and drilled a beautiful end into the bottom-left nook to earn Barca their record-extending thirty second Copa del Rey triumph.

Flick mentioned his gamers ought to benefit from the second earlier than turning their consideration to Inter, although he’s conscious the treble is now a practical aim.

“It has been a merely excellent night time,” Flick informed a press convention within the early hours of Sunday. “I’m very proud.

“For me, it’s superb what they’re doing, how they combat. I actually admire what they do, that they by no means hand over. I believe everybody, the membership, the followers, are proud.

“To win a title in a recreation just like the Clasico towards Actual Madrid is at all times particular. I’m joyful for my gamers and for the hundreds of followers who have been within the stands, they deserved this title.

“Now we should have a good time after which the target should be to get well, get well and get well. The treble is an possibility, however we have now to maintain working.”

Barca, in scintillating kind, recorded their third consecutive win towards a stumbling Madrid facet who had already misplaced 4-0 at dwelling to the Blaugrana in LaLiga and 5-2 in January’s Supercopa de Espana last.

Flick is just the second Barca coach to win his first three video games towards Madrid in all competitions, after Pep Guardiola beat Los Blancos in every of his first 5 Clasicos.

His workforce are undefeated in home competitors since late December, enjoying a few of the greatest soccer in Europe, and maintain a four-point lead over Madrid within the league.

After Wednesday’s Champions League conflict with Inter, Barca face last-placed Actual Valladolid earlier than internet hosting Madrid in a match that would determine the title race on Might 11.

Flick attributed Barca’s success to the angle of his gamers, saying the sky is the restrict in the event that they preserve their ft on the bottom.

“Firstly of the season I mentioned I used to be right here, with my assistants, to create a great environment within the dressing room,” Flick mentioned.

“I needed present them they may benefit from the recreation and that they may play on the highest degree. I believe creating that environment within the dressing room is vital and key.

“It provides loads of confidence. This can be a matter for everyone. The employees, the gamers… They’ve a incredible mentality.”