Hansi Flick “gentleman” for pulling Barcelona off field before party
Hansi Flick was hailed as a “gentleman” for pulling Barcelona players off the pitch after their LaLiga title-clinching win over Espanyol.
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Flick hailed as “gentleman”
It was the second time in three years that Barca had won the league at their city rivals’ ground.
Barcelona’s 2023 triumph was marred by Espanyol fans storming the pitch and chasing players down the tunnel.
This time, however, Hansi Flick ensured those scenes weren’t repeated.
The German coach marched his players off as the sprinklers came on and increased security controlled the perimeter.
“Flick was a gentleman,” Espanyol coach Manolo González said. “He grabbed his players, got them off the pitch and got them in the dressing room.
“It doesn’t make any sense to generate anything bigger when they’re able to celebrate inside [away from Espanyol fans] or over the next week.
“Two years ago, there was a mess here because no common sense was applied. We have to congratulate Flick because he dealt with it well. He’s a good coach and a gentleman on top of it.”
Tension filled the RCDE Stadium as the final whistle approached, capping off a difficult evening for the home supporters.
Fans chanted “Suspend the match,” and the game stopped briefly when a supporter entered the pitch following a car crash outside the stadium that injured more than a dozen people, none seriously.
Local police detained the driver but have not yet determined whether the incident was an accident.
Flick respects Espanyol fans
Nonetheless, Barca’s win over their city rival put them seven points clear with two games left to play to seal the club’s 28th league title.
Lamine Yamal curled a superb shot into the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
Fermin Lopez sealed the victory five minutes into stoppage time, firing home from inside the box after an assist from Yamal.
“On the pitch it was clear we cannot celebrate there,” Flick said in a news conference.
“Two years ago, I don’t want to have this, it’s also respect about the fans here.”
“We celebrate in the dressing room, it was great, fantastic. The players can do that.”
It also completed a domestic treble in Flick’s first season at the club, following success in the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey.
The team will celebrate with an open-top bus parade through the city on Friday.
“Go and celebrate,” was Flick’s message to the supporters. “Tomorrow I think I will stand a little in the back, see what happens and enjoy it.
“When I see the people smiling, for me it’s the greatest thing. I hope everyone enjoys this parade tomorrow.”
