Barcelona lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, and Hansi Flick said after the match that the team had learned from the defeat. Barcelona can give themselves a nine-point lead over Real Madrid with a victory in El Clásico on Sunday.
Flick's message after the match
As manager Hansi Flick said: "We lost, but we learned... We have to learn. It’s October, and you don’t win titles in October; the Champions League is won in June."
Espart praised after PSG game
Xavi Espart is 19 years old. He has played at left back for most of this season and was thrown in at right back after injuries to both Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde. Espart scored an equalizer early in the second half against PSG.
Flick said Xavi Espart's defending against PSG's attackers was "just amazing." He said: "How he defended tonight against the top players PSG have in attack ... just amazing"
According to the report, Xavi Espart was not dribbled past once against PSG.
Rodri selection decision
Flick admitted prematch that the upcoming Clásico affected his team selection "a lot," and Rodri was ultimately only introduced after 60 minutes.
Afterwards, the manager said the decision to bench Rodri was "good for us and for him."
Numbers from the defeat
By halftime PSG had managed 10 shots on target against Barcelona, which the report says was the most against Barcelona in the Champions League since at least 2003-04, according to Opta.
All three of PSG’s central midfielders ended the night with a goal or assist.