Laporta Requests Flick to Support Barcelona Players After Loss
Following Barcelona's last-minute loss to Atletico Madrid, President Joan Laporta requested that coach Hansi Flick attend the press conference to publicly support the team, a gesture aimed at boosting morale.
In the aftermath of Barcelona's 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, decided by a stoppage-time goal, President Joan Laporta took immediate steps to reinforce team unity. He visited the locker room to commend the players' efforts and delivered an impassioned speech, emphasizing that their performance deserved a better outcome and expressing confidence in achieving future objectives with continued dedication.
Laporta then made a specific request to head coach Hansi Flick, who was serving the second match of a suspension following a prior dismissal. Despite the suspension, Laporta urged Flick to personally attend the post-match press conference instead of assistant coach Markus Zorc. The president believed that Flick's presence would demonstrate strong leadership and publicly affirm support for the squad during a challenging period.
Honoring Laporta's request, Flick addressed the media, stating, 'We lost, but I am proud of my team.' This act was intended to showcase solidarity and maintain morale as Barcelona strives to rebound in the upcoming fixtures.