Hansi Flick’s Barcelona gives life to Johan Cruyff’s famous saying | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have had several historic nights in their history, and they all seem to include a lot of goals. Attacking football, positional play, a fluent understanding of the fundamentals of the game, there are many things that embody the philosophy of La Blaugrana. However, there is also a certain individual figure who does that for Barcelona.

Johan Cruyff, an icon for the Dutch National team, for Ajax, and for the Catalan giants themselves, has often been regarded as the father of the modern game. Yet, for Barcelona, he is much more than just a legendary coach or iconic player.

Instead, Cruyff embodies the very essence of what Barcelona is and how they aspire to play the game of football. That is exactly why the game last night in Lisbon was nothing short of a love letter to the legendary Dutch player and manager himself.

As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Barça’s 5-4 victory over SL Benfica honors the immortal philosophy of the former club hero himself, who once famously stated:

‘I’d rather win 5-4 than 1-0.”

Photo by Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

That saying on its own embodies the way Cruyff wanted his team to play the game. His ‘Dream Team’ that went on to accomplish great things under his leadership was renowned for the attacking style of play that they had, and Hansi Flick’s men continue to honor that legacy.

Despite being 3-1 down at half-time, and 4-2 down at another point in the game, La Blaugrana never gave up. Barcelona kept on attacking, winning back possession, fighting for each and every ball, and it ended with Raphinha scoring a match winner with what was almost the final kick of the game.

Even during his press conference after the game, Flick himself was left amazed by the result. Claiming that such a comeback was completely new for him, it just went on to show the sheer heart and soul that his players put on the pitch and exactly how they managed to reap the rewards of it.