Following the intense showdown and frustrating draw with Inter Milan, Hansi Flick made his way straight to Barcelona’s standout performer and Man of the Match to offer him words of comfort, despite his incredible display on the pitch. The German manager approached the player immediately after the final whistle and told him, “You gave your all out there. You rescued the team when everything was falling apart. We’re truly fortunate to have you with us!”

Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash at the Estadio Olimpico in Catalonia on Wednesday evening. The result means that the tie remains finely balanced, with the decisive second leg scheduled for next Tuesday at the San Siro in Milan, where the winner will secure a place in the final.

According to reports from the Spanish outlet El Nacional, Barcelona’s German manager, Hansi Flick, was left frustrated by the draw. Flick had hoped his team would claim victory at home to ease the pressure ahead of the tough return fixture in Italy. Despite the thrilling nature of the game, the result did little to satisfy Flick, who immediately sought to console his standout player, Lamine Yamal, after the final whistle.

Yamal, who was named Man of the Match, was visibly upset by the outcome, and Flick made sure to personally thank him for his exceptional performance. The coach reportedly told the young star, “You gave everything for the team and helped us fight back when others struggled.

We’re fortunate to have you.” Flick also acknowledged another key figure in the game, Pedri, praising his relentless effort and commitment despite showing signs of fatigue. In front of the entire squad, Flick commended Pedri, saying, “No matter how this season ends, I respect everything you’ve done for this team. I’m proud to have you with us.”

On the other hand, Flick did not hide his disappointment toward one of Barcelona’s weakest performers on the night, Gerard Martín. The defender, who had to be replaced by Ronald Araújo during the match, drew harsh criticism from the manager.

According to El Nacional, Flick made the decision to drop Martín from the squad for the rest of the season, admitting to his assistant that including him in the starting lineup was a costly mistake that almost jeopardized Barcelona’s European campaign.

In an unexpected post-match moment, Barcelona president Joan Laporta entered the dressing room and praised Lamine Yamal, suggesting that his performance made him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. Laporta encouraged Yamal to replicate his display in the second leg.

He also issued a stern warning to Flick about defensive tactics, advising against the use of a high line and offside traps due to the players’ growing fatigue. Laporta emphasized how much the team missed Alejandro Balde, whose absence left Raphinha exposed on the left flank.