Hansi Flick praises Barcelona’s bravery after 7-2 win over Racing Santander

Hansi Flick praised Barcelona’s attacking courage after they maintained their perfect La Liga record with a 7-2 victory over Racing Santander.

Barcelona have won all six of their league matches this season and have scored 28 goals. Flick was particularly pleased that his side continued to play on the front foot after Racing twice reduced the deficit.

“We played well and the result is top,” Flick said. “I like the team’s bravery, and that we’ve stayed focused.”

However, the Barcelona manager said his players must become more resilient when they lose their attacking confidence.

“When we’re less brave, the opposition creates danger and scores goals,” he said. “We need to change that a bit and also learn from it.”

Raphinha was central to another emphatic Barcelona performance, scoring a hat-trick after being deployed in a central attacking position.

“He has the attitude I like. Even in his life beyond football,” Flick said.

The German also emphasised that Barcelona’s success must come from collective effort rather than individual ability.

“When you want to succeed as a team, it’s important that everyone has a mindset of helping each other,” Flick said. “In soccer, everything is about the team. It’s important to have high-level players but the team is in charge.”

Barcelona made a fast start when Joao Cancelo opened the scoring after eight minutes, finding the corner with a superb long-range strike after receiving the ball from Lamine Yamal.

Raphinha converted a penalty to make it 2-0, but Racing responded when Maguette Gueye pulled a goal back.

Cancelo restored Barcelona’s two-goal advantage with another powerful effort from distance, before Raphinha scored again to give the hosts a 4-1 lead at half-time.

Racing threatened another response early in the second half when Yassir Zabiri took advantage of an error by substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Barcelona quickly re-established control. Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Karim Adeyemi was brought down.

Gabriel Jesus then scored his first league goal for Barcelona, while Yamal completed the scoring late in the match.

The result gave Flick a record seventh consecutive competitive victory at the start of the season.

His only concern was the fitness of goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who was replaced at half-time.

“He had something in his knee and we have to wait to see what the tests say,” Flick said.

Barcelona’s attacking numbers remain the defining feature of their campaign, but Flick’s comments also underlined his focus on concentration and teamwork.

Barcelona’s next match is a La Liga meeting with Sevilla on Saturday at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.