'We dissolved' - Hansi Flick admits Barcelona outclassed in second-half collapse against PSG as Champions League opponents 'raised their level' in lesson for La Liga title holders

From the outset, PSG asserted control in midfield, dictating the tempo and pressing relentlessly, which forced Barca into defensive errors and limited their attacking threat. Ferran Torres opened the scoring for the Blaugrana in the 19th minute with a slick finish, but PSG’s discipline soon turned the tide, as Senny Mayulu equalised just before halftime, capitalising on a defensive lapse.

The visitors continued to threaten, and their clinical finishing was rewarded in the dying moments when substitute Ramos struck a decisive 90th-minute winner, converting Achraf Hakimi’s low cross to seal the victory. The gap in quality and cohesion between Luis Enrique’s PSG and Flick’s Barcelona was unmistakable throughout, making this defeat a daunting reflection of the rebuilding job Flick faces at Barcelona.

The German coach was impressed by PSG and the quality of the side Enrique has built. In a post-match interview, Flick congratulated the opponents while explaining where he thought Barca struggled.

“We played much better in the first half than in the second. We conceded a lot because we were tired. PSG are a great team. They have very young, fresh players, and they were at a great level. We didn't play at our best, and it's difficult against teams like that. They deserved the win, and we have to congratulate them," he said.

Flick further added: "We started very well, but after 30 minutes they controlled the game better and we dissolved. In the second half they were better, and we weren't at our best."

Flick has been unlucky lately when it comes to having his star players fit, and with a congested fixture run this campaign, it's causing more problems for him. The manager admitted the signs of fatigue clearly showed in the second half, with players like Pedri and Frenkie De Jong starting most of their games.

"Pedri and De Jong have played a lot of minutes, but the important thing is the team. I think you could see in the second half that some players were very tired. Marcus, Pedri, De Jong. They gave their all on the pitch. At 1-1, you have to defend better. You have to learn and improve against teams of this quality," Flick explained.

Fermin Lopez is two more weeks away from returning to training, while Gavi is sidelined for a longer term. Marc Bernal, who recently came back from ACL injury, is being slowly reintroduced into the game and was substituted on for Pedri in the 79th minute.

Barcelona will face Sevilla in the league on October 5 before the international break begins. With the squad facing extreme fatigue, coach Flick will certainly hope his players get the much-needed rest they deserve. However, the German manager has cause for concern, as the previous break saw Lamine Yamal return injured after international duty, an incident that left Flick furious with the Spanish Football Association.