11h39 CEST
27/04/2025
Hansi Flick set his eyes on the treble after Barcelona roared back to beat rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in extra time in Saturday's dramatic Copa del Rey final.
Barca – who lead the way in LaLiga and will face Inter in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday – were staring at defeat with six minutes of the 90 remaining.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni put Madrid 2-1 up after Pedri had opened the scoring, but Ferran Torres' equaliser sent the game to extra time.
And in the 116th minute, Jules Kounde pounced on Luka Modric's loose pass and drilled a wonderful finish into the bottom-left corner to earn Barca their record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey triumph.
Flick said his players should enjoy the moment before turning their attention to Inter, though he is aware the treble is now a realistic goal.
"It has been a simply perfect night," Flick told a press conference in the early hours of Sunday. "I am very proud.
"For me, it's amazing what they are doing, how they fight. I really appreciate what they do, that they never give up. I think everyone, the club, the fans, are proud.
"To win a title in a game like the Clasico against Real Madrid is always special. I'm happy for my players and for the thousands of fans who were in the stands, they deserved this title.
"Now we must celebrate and then the objective must be to recover, recover and recover. The treble is an option, but we have to keep working."
Barca, in scintillating form, recorded their third consecutive win against a stumbling Madrid side who had already lost 4-0 at home to the Blaugrana in LaLiga and 5-2 in January's Supercopa de Espana final.
Flick is only the second Barca coach to win his first three games against Madrid in all competitions, after Pep Guardiola beat Los Blancos in each of his first five Clasicos.
His team are undefeated in domestic competition since late December, playing some of the best football in Europe, and hold a four-point lead over Madrid in the league.
After Wednesday's Champions League clash with Inter, Barca face last-placed Real Valladolid before hosting Madrid in a match that could decide the title race on May 11.
Flick attributed Barca's success to the attitude of his players, saying the sky is the limit if they keep their feet on the ground.
"At the beginning of the season I said I was here, with my assistants, to create a good atmosphere in the dressing room," Flick said.
"I wanted show them they could enjoy the game and that they could play at the highest level. I think creating that atmosphere in the dressing room is important and key.
"It gives a lot of confidence. This is a matter for everybody. The staff, the players... They have a fantastic mentality."