Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has said he is happy and proud of an outstanding performance from his team after they came from behind to thrash Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah.
Although Kylian Mbappe put Madrid in front after just five minutes, Lamine Yamal levelled for Barcelona in the 22nd before striker Robert Lewandowski gave them the lead from the spot.
Speaking at the post-match news conference, Flick said he was happy with Barca’s performance.
"I'm really proud," Flick said in his post-match news conference. "Proud for the team, the staff, the club, the fans, everyone. Today was an unbelievable match. For the coaches, not so much! But for the fans it's really fantastic,” he was quoted as saying by ESPN.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his disappointment at the humiliation in the final.
The result has booster Barca morale after their league form had slumped recently.
Ancelotti said they were defeated as their defenders could not tackle Barcelona properly.
"We tried to press high and defend with a low block. They scored the goals easily, and we didn't work hard, collectively or individually,” ESPN quoted Ancelotti as saying.
"We lost a lot of duels. That makes us sad and disappointed, but that's football. We have to take that sadness home. I understand the sadness of our fans. We feel that, but we have to look forward, and prepare for the next game, and recover the good form we'd been in,” the Italian manager added.
Raphinha scored in the 39th minute with a stunning header from a Jules Kounde cross and then left back Alejandro Balde added the fourth goal for Barca, according to Reuters.
Barca were left with 10 men when their goalkeeper was sent off for fouling Mbappe in the 56th minute.
“We tried to press high and defend. They scored goals comfortably as we didn't work hard. We didn’t fight collectively,” a deflated Ancelotti said during the post-match news conference.