Hansi Flick saluted a \u201cvery important\u201d response by Barcelona after they put their recent struggles behind them with victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Supercopa de Espana semi-finals.<\/p>\n The Blaugrana had topped the LaLiga table following a brilliant start to the season.<\/p>\n However, a run of just one win in seven league games \u2013 including back-to-back defeats against Leganes and Atletico Madrid \u2013 saw them surrender top spot.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, they have responded well after the mid-season break, putting six goals past Barbastro and Bilbao without reply, beating the latter 2-0 in Jeddah on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we deserved it. At times, we didn\u2019t dominate as usual, but I\u2019m happy,\u201d he told reporters. \u201cThe objective was to reach the final, and we are happy to have kept a clean sheet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a young team, and we have to learn a lot. The style, the way we play, is what\u2019s important.<\/p>\n \u201cWe lost against Atletico [2-1], and it wasn\u2019t pretty. But we played a great game and, after the break, we beat Barbastro and Athletic with clean sheets, and that\u2019s very important.\u201d<\/p>\n Gavi and Lamine Yamal were on target for Flick\u2019s side, the latter marking his return from injury with a fine strike in the second half.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true that we suffered, especially at the end of the first half, but we knew how to play very well and very happy,\u201d Yamal said. \u201cAs long as the coach gives me the option, I\u2019m happy to be able to help the team.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was lucky enough to score the goal and give the assist [for Yamal\u2019s goal],\u201d Gavi added. \u201cBut in the end, what matters is that we are in the final, and we have to win it.\u201d<\/p>\n Partido muy serio, equipo. Tenemos el primer t\u00edtulo a tiro One step away from the first title. See you on Sunday! @FCBarcelona<\/a> #SupercopaDeEspana<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/k6WGUFzFwu<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pedri Gonz\u00e1lez (@Pedri) January 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.soccernews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/SN\/images\/300x250_HR.gif\")
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