Manager insists he does not care for “statistics” after matching club’s second-best winning streak
Hansi Flick was delighted with the way his Barcelona players defended and fought off a resolute Racing Santander side to grab a 2-0 victory and progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Both sides had a slew of opportunities to punish the other, but a goal from Ferran Torres in the middle of the second half gave Barcelona the advantage and they remained disciplined to protect the lead, before Lamine Yamal sealed the victory deep in stoppage time.
“I knew before this would be tough game,” Flick said. “For me, it was important to get a clean sheet. Of course, the big chance they have to make it 1-1, 30 seconds before our second goal, it was important to save it.”
Barcelona’s victory comes especially against the backdrop of Real Madrid’s defeat to Albacete, who are 17th in the second division, in the competition only a day before. Racing, who are top of that second division, were also determined to force another giant-killing.
“For Racing, it was maybe the biggest game in the last couple of years,” said Flick. “For us, it was an important game as well. We wanted to win today after winning the Supercopa. You don’t win these games because of name, but attitude. This is what I liked from the team.
“We played serious, with the right attitude and mentality, but Racing did really good. They are a good team. I wish them all the best for the season; maybe next season we will see them again in La Liga.”
With the victory, Flick’s side matched the second-best winning streak in the club’s history, a run of 11 games, achieved only twice before in the 21st century, under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, and surpassed only by an 18-game winning run by Frank Rijkaard’s team in 2005-06.
“This is nothing,” Flick said. “[I am not concerned] with statistics. I am happy we won today, for us, the club and the fans. It means we are in the next round and this is what we want.”
