Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Estadio Olímpico in Catalonia on Wednesday night.
The tie now hangs in the balance, with the decisive second leg set to take place next Tuesday at the iconic San Siro in Milan.
According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was left deeply frustrated by the outcome, having hoped to take a crucial advantage into the away leg.
Flick was seen consoling Lamine Yamal—Barcelona’s standout performer and Man of the Match—who was visibly disheartened by the result. The coach reportedly told the teenage star:
“You gave everything and carried this team when others faltered. We’re all fortunate to have you.”
Flick also praised Pedri for his relentless effort despite being visibly exhausted, telling him in front of the squad:
“No matter what happens this season, I take my hat off to you. You’ve given your all, and I’m proud to coach you.”
However, not all post-match interactions were positive. The report claims Flick was furious with Gerard Martín, whom he substituted with Ronald Araújo. The coach allegedly decided to exclude Martín from the squad for the rest of the season, privately admitting to his staff that starting him was a costly mistake that nearly derailed their European ambitions.
In a rare move, Barcelona president Joan Laporta entered the dressing room after the match. He congratulated Yamal on his performance, reportedly telling him:
“Tonight you’ve made yourself a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or. I want the same from you in the return leg—we’ll reach the final.”
Laporta also took Flick aside to express concern over the tactical setup, cautioning him against using a high defensive line and relying on the offside trap in the second leg, particularly given the squad’s visible fatigue.
The president concluded by pointing to the absence of Alejandro Balde as a major issue, noting that it left Raphinha isolated on the left flank.
