Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick spoke proudly of the never say die attitude of his side following their 4-3 comeback triumph over Celta Vigo.
A game which left a lasting memory – which was only dampened by an injury to Robert Lewandowski – aided Barcelona to crucial maximum points in the title race after Raphinha’s 98th-minute penalty.
Flick admitted it would be a comeback that will not be forgotten easily, noting the belief was further weakened after Borja Iglesias netted a hat-trick to give Celta a 3-1 lead.
“When we win, we like these kinds of games. We’ve played against a very good team, they’ve had good results in the last 10 games, as I said yesterday in the press conference. Their coach is doing a fantastic job,” Flick said.
“I think the goals we conceded have nothing to do with our pressing. We usually press very well, but today we made mistakes. We made it very easy for the opponent.
“But the team did everything, we didn’t give up. That’s the mentality we have right now. It’s great.
“I don’t want to talk about the mistakes my players made. I think that everyone can see that the team didn’t give up, they did their best for 90 minutes and we got the three points.”
With a brace in the second half, Raphinha has now netted 30 times for Barcelona in all competitions and Flick could not contain his elation as he hugged the Brazilian after the full-time whistle.
“I hugged Raphinha because things weren’t going his way in the first half. I told him to think positively and in the second, it showed,” Flick added.
“At halftime I told Raphinha, ‘Come on, think positively. We need you on the pitch as a leader.’ Then he went in and put that performance.”
