Hansi Flick has revealed he learned of his father’s death on the morning of Barcelona’s title deciding Clasico, then led his team to a 2-0 win over Real Madrid to seal a second straight La Liga crown.
The German coach, fighting back emotion, told reporters it was a day he would “never” forget.
“This morning, my mum called me and she said that my father passed away,” Flick explained.
“And so I thought about whether I should hide it, or should I speak with my team? Because for me it’s like a family.
“And I said, okay, I want to get the information to the players. And what they did was unbelievable. I will never forget this moment.”
A coronation at Camp Nou
Barcelona turned the Clasico into a party. Camp Nou was rocking. The scoreboard read 2-0. The league table now shows an unassailable 91 points , 14 clear of second placed Real with three games remaining.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring after just nine minutes, bending a superb free kick into Thibaut Courtois’ top left corner. Antonio Rudiger had fouled Ferran Torres just outside the box. Rashford made him pay.
Nine minutes later, it was 2-0. Fermin Lopez crossed. Dani Olmo produced a clever backheel. Ferran Torres rifled home. Game over. Title won.
Flick, tossed into the air by his players at full time, said he had “never” felt so much love in a stadium.
“I’m proud. I’ll never forget this day. Never. I’m happy about this triumph and the atmosphere in this stadium is unbelievable.”
What’s next for Flick and Barca?
Spanish media report that Flick will extend his contract currently set to expire in 2027. by another year.
“I’m feeling in the right place, at the right time, and I think we all want to continue, and we want to give more for this club,” he said.
The immediate target? Matching the record of 100 points in a La Liga season. Three games left. Nine points available.
The bigger goal? Ending an 11 year wait for the Champions League. That’s next season’s obsession.
Arbeloa: Real need collective, not individuals
For Real Madrid, this was a reality check. Alvaro Arbeloa, the interim boss, didn’t sugarcoat it.
“We need to collectively take a step forward, to have a much clearer idea of what it is we want to do,” he said.
“To put the collective before the individual, because, beyond talent, we always need to have a clear idea, and for me this is the start.
“Above all, we have to learn that we dropped a lot of points against teams and in games where we shouldn’t have.”
Real were missing Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Arda Guler and Rodrygo through injury. Federico Valverde also missed out after a head injury sustained in a changing room fight with Aurelien Tchouameni, both players fined 500,000 euros.
And Kylian Mbappe? He didn’t travel because of a leg muscle injury. The France captain drew criticism for holidaying in Sardinia during his recovery. Arbeloa was diplomatic.
“I would have liked that he was 100 percent and that he was able to play, that’s what I would have liked.”
The bigger picture
Barcelona are champions. Again. Flick has built something special.
But Sunday belonged to a man who led his team through grief to glory. The players knew. The fans felt it.
“I will never forget this moment,” Flick said.
Neither will anyone who watched it.
