New Delhi: Barcelona manager Hansi Flick hailed his “incredible team” after their dominant 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Super Spanish Cup final held in Saudi Arabia. The Catalan side, which struggled under Xavi last season, secured their first trophy in a year under Flick, marking the start of a promising new era.
The game began dramatically, with Kylian Mbappe giving Madrid the lead in just the fifth minute. However, Barcelona responded with an electrifying first-half performance, scoring four goals to head into halftime with a commanding 5-1 lead. Lamine Yamal opened the scoreline for Barca, Robert Lewandoski’s stunning goal and Raphina’s brace.
The drama continued in the second half when Barcelona were reduced to 10 men. In the 56th minute, Wojciech Szczesny had to leave the pitch after he was booked for bringing down Mbappe outside the box following a VAR review. Despite Rodrygo’s stunning free kick in the 60th minute, which decreased the lead, Barcelona showcased resilience and defensive solidity, with substitute goalkeeper Inaki Pena stepping up to preserve their lead.
📽️ – STRAIGHT RED CARD GIVEN TO SZCZĘSNY! pic.twitter.com/XJWcJv1yzs
— Football Report (@FootballReprt) January 12, 2025
After the match, Flick expressed his pride, saying, “Once Szczesny was sent off, it became challenging for everyone. We had a brief discussion with the coaches, and I appreciate their input because, ultimately, we made the right choice. And Inaki did a great job, and we defended as a team. I loved it.” He added, that he was proud of the team, the support staff, the club, the fans and everyone who supported the team and concluded that he was proud to lead the side.
🎙 Hansi Flick: “When they showed the red card it was not easy for us and I want to thank everyone. Especially those on the bench because they were ready.” pic.twitter.com/IvpXAfr9j7
— Barça Notes 🗒 𝕏 (@BarcaNotes) January 12, 2025
This victory not only cements Barcelona’s position as the most successful club in the history of the Spanish Super Cup but also adds to Flick’s immediate impact as a manager. Reflecting on the win, Flick emphasized the importance of learning from every game, stating, “At big clubs, the target is to win titles, and that’s what we are working hard towards.”
Barcelona has set the tone for the new year with a dominating triumph over Madrid, combining attacking brilliance with the resilience required to navigate challenging moments. Under Flick’s guidance, the Catalan club looks poised to reclaim its dominance on the domestic and European stages.
Barcelona secured their record 15th Spanish Super Cup title with a 5-2 win over Real Madrid, marking Hansi Flick’s first trophy as manager. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
