Barcelona Acknowledge PSG Superiority After Champions League Defeat

Like the Spanish media, Barcelona acknowledged PSG's superiority on Tuesday night after their 4-2 defeat at the Parc des Princes, while expressing satisfaction at having competed against the reigning two-time European champions.

This is how we can measure the new dimension PSG has reached over the past two years. Now, their defeated rivals congratulate themselves on having faced Luis Enrique's team, as if that were a victory in itself.

This is, in essence, the message from Barcelona players' post-match comments after Tuesday night's PSG vs. Barça match (4-2), starting with captain Raphinha.

"We wanted to leave with the win or a point, it doesn't matter, but it's not that big a deal, it happens when it has to happen (in reference to Barça's first defeat this season) and, in the end, we only lost three points," the Brazilian said, putting things in perspective after the match, without appearing dejected after this defeat to the reigning two-time European champions.

"They are a very well-coached team," continued the former Rennes player. "Despite today's result, we played well. They are two teams that like to play soccer, and we had possession. It was a good test that shows we can compete. Losing can happen, but we played well."

Speaking to the Spanish network that broadcast the match, Hansi Flick acknowledged PSG's superiority: "It was a fantastic match from both teams. In the end, PSG proved to be better than us. We lost this match, but we learned a lot," the German FC Barcelona coach said at the final whistle.

"They are very strong on the counterattack; we tried to defend ourselves, and I think we did it well, but in the last 10 or 15 minutes we were no longer as fresh, although I don't want to use that as an excuse. Given what happened after the match in Seville, we couldn't prepare optimally, but that's how it is," added the former Bayern coach.

Hansi Flick is referring to his team's return from Seville last Saturday, which heavy rain in Catalonia interrupted. Barça was supposed to return Saturday night but had to stay in Seville because of the bad weather in Barcelona. Sunday's training was therefore postponed and shortened, and the club also suffered a slight delay on Monday when leaving Barcelona, this time due to fog in the French capital.

At his news conference, Flick also cited his players' fatigue to explain their mistakes with the ball. The German coach added that Sunday's Clásico influenced some of his decisions, including leaving Rodri on the bench at the start of the match. For someone who doesn't usually make excuses, that's a lot. "We will have to learn from this match, but titles aren't won in October. The Champions League is won in June," he concluded.