CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

After a Brutal 3-0 Loss, What Exactly Did Flick See That Was Positive?

Flick Finds Positives Despite Barcelona’s Heavy Defeat To Chelsea

Barcelona were outplayed, outworked and outthought in their 3-0 Champions League loss to Chelsea — yet manager Hansi Flick refused to panic.

The defeat came courtesy of a Jules Kounde own goal and sharp finishes from Estevao and Liam Delap, as Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea dominated almost every phase of the match. The Blaugrana struggled to build rhythm, repeatedly losing the ball under Chelsea’s fierce pressure.

But after the game, Flick remained composed.

He admitted his side made “big ball losses” and “unusual mistakes,” acknowledging that these careless moments allowed Chelsea to punish them. Still, he insisted the performance wasn’t all doom.

According to Flick, there were encouraging signs — details he believes can be built upon rather than discarded. And in what may be the real silver lining of the night, both Marcus Rashford and Raphinha made their returns to action.

Raphinha had spent months out injured, while Rashford missed Barcelona’s recent LaLiga win through illness. Their reappearance gave Flick something meaningful to smile about.

“I am happy Raphinha is back and Marcus is at this level,” he said. “I prefer to look positively.”

Barcelona may have been humbled at Stamford Bridge, but Flick is convinced this setback can become a stepping stone rather than a spiral.