Flick: We struggled in the second half, but I'm pleased

Hansi Flick praised his team's performance, particularly the 4-2 victory over Levante, which secured three crucial points for Barcelona. However, he admitted the squad faced difficulties in the second half. He took responsibility for the opponent's first goal, acknowledging he delayed a planned substitution for Xavi Espart, but believes these challenges offer valuable lessons for the future.

"We started brilliantly, but we struggled a bit in the second half. At 3-0, we should have had more control, and Levante, playing at home, performed very well." He also voiced concerns about the pitch condition: "The turf wasn't great; it wasn't what it should be."

Flick accepted blame for Levante's opening goal: "The first goal we conceded was my mistake. We wanted to make a substitution, and Espart had requested it, but we decided to wait. Despite that, I'm pleased; we won and had a fantastic start to the match." He also reminded everyone that "we had to consider the upcoming matches – on Wednesday (against Racing) and next Saturday (against Sevilla), both away games."

The coach understands there were moments of struggle but accepts them: "It wasn't easy, even if it looked that way." He added, "Ultimately, we have to endure, and there are situations where we need to perform much better, but surviving these situations is also a way to improve."

He also highlighted the difficulty of beating Levante away from home. "At halftime, nothing was decided, which is normal, and I told the players that. They were playing at home, and it's natural for them to want to win. They hadn't lost at home in their last eight matches. They played a great game," Flick stated.

The match provided some key takeaways, and Flick explained: "What we're looking to do is improve certain aspects, like positioning and some passes. That's what we're working on."

Regarding Lamine Yamal taking the penalty, he clarified: "Dela (Jose Ramon de la Fuente) is in charge of set pieces. The players decide, and whoever feels most confident at the moment takes it. I think that's the best approach. We are a team, and anyone can take a penalty," he revealed, indicating the initiative comes from the players.

Flick praised Adeyemi, who scored the fourth goal, bringing a sense of calm: "I'm not surprised. When he's focused, he's a fantastic player. I've known him for many years and I know what he can offer us. Especially with the fourth goal, he was fantastic; that's what I want to see from him. No complacency or relaxation, but always concentration."

Regarding Gordon, he commended him but didn't hide his desire for the forward to score his first goal: "It's very important for us that he holds up the ball, but he's a striker, and it's important for him to score. I'm happy and I value what he brings to us."