Flick’s response to Real Madrid: “We don’t make excuses”
Hansi Flick, while speaking at a press conference, addressed Real Madrid’s recent complaints. He recalled a time when Carlo Ancelotti, during his stint as Bayern Munich’s coach, criticized refereeing decisions that he felt favored Real Madrid, particularly after a contentious match at the Bernabéu.
Flick seemed puzzled by Real Madrid’s complaints, especially considering how some of these incidents were visible globally, as Florentino Pérez pointed out.
Flick made it clear that Bayern Munich does not engage in the same methods of creating alarm or making excuses when things don’t go their way. He responded to questions about Real Madrid’s recent statements, saying, “That’s not our style. We don’t make excuses.” He emphasized that every team has its own approach and that, while mistakes happen, referees face a difficult job.
When asked about Real Madrid’s claim that the League is rigged, Flick stated that it’s not about blaming external factors. He made it clear: “We have dropped points, and that’s on us. We need to focus on winning our games.”
Flick also discussed his team’s upcoming Copa del Rey match against Valencia, noting that the atmosphere and challenge would be different from their previous 7-1 victory. On player updates, he mentioned that Olmo could be an option for the second half but Gavi is unavailable due to a recent injury. He also stated that he is happy to have multiple options for positions like Casadó and De Jong, emphasizing the importance of the team rather than individual choices.
Regarding Dani Olmo, Flick cautioned that although he is an important player, his injury history requires careful management. He also reflected on a difficult League match earlier in the season against Valencia, stressing that tomorrow’s match won’t win them the title, but it could certainly cause them to lose it.
Finally, Flick expressed his deep satisfaction with coaching Barcelona, especially on his 60th birthday. He shared his admiration for the club and its players, saying that coaching Barcelona was a dream come true.
He also noted possible rotations for the upcoming Sevilla match, and clarified that Iñaki Peña would not play in the Copa del Rey, with Ter Stegen being the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.
