FC Barcelona pulled off an epic comeback against Levante (2-3) in a great match at the Ciutat de Valencia. Although Hansi Flick's team went into halftime losing by two goals, they managed to turn the score around at the end.
After the match, the Azulgrana coach avoided pointing out the terrible refereeing in the 'Granota' field, although he admitted his initial annoyance at a decision that could well have cost Barça the three points.
"The penalty? When this happens, you're angry. The referee has awarded a penalty and we have to accept it. But the important thing is that we return to Barcelona with the three points," he said about the controversial handball by Alejandro Balde pointed out by the main referee Alejandro Hernández.
Flick, proud of Barça's reaction and respectful of Levante
Similarly, beyond not having played a correct match in defense, Flick valued the reaction of his players to, for the seventh time in LaLiga since his arrival on the Azulgrana bench, come back from a result in a very tough field and with everything against them.
"Of course I'm proud, why do you ask me? We have won the three points, we have believed in ourselves and this victory helps us a lot. We haven't done it perfectly today, but we have to value what Levante has done, they have fast players. We have scored three goals and we have been able to win," argued the coach.
In addition, he recognized the good work of the Valencians in hurting the Culé defense with counterattacks. "Levante has defended very well. They have very fast players. It hasn't been easy. In the first half they had good opportunities. In the second half we changed," he explained.
"The first goal we scored helped us, we gained confidence and we fought until the end of the match to add the three points"
The refereeing errors and Rashford's match from Hansi Flick's perspective
Returning to the refereeing controversies, Hansi Flick avoided criticizing the referees, knowing the risk of exposing himself to a sanction. "I can't say if it was clear or not (the penalty handball). Today's play was not clear, but we have to accept it," the coach pointed out.
And, about the performance of Marcus Rashford, starter for the first time in La Liga, the coach believes that the Englishman did a good job, although he was replaced by Dani Olmo after halftime.
"Marcus has had some situations in the first half and has shown that he can help us. In the second half, we had to make a change and we put Raphinha on the wing and I think they were the right changes. The first goal (by Pedri) changed the match," the coach stated. Rafa gave an assist to Ferran Torres in the action of the 2-2 partial.
"These matches serve to improve and know where we want to go. A season is a long road"