Speaking before the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, Laporta acknowledged the disappointment of losing the Clásico but argued that the season remained a long-term contest. Barcelona were unable to impose their usual style, yet he pointed out that they remained top of the league.
“It was a hard blow, but our expectations remain intact. The team is made up of very young people who recover very quickly. We were unable to play our game, but we are still top,” Laporta said.
The president was also asked about Madrid’s approach and the way Barcelona’s key players had been contained. He accepted that the opposition had disrupted his side, but urged the club not to overreact to one result.
“You have analysed it very well, just like our coach. They marked our key players. But this is a long-distance race and we have to keep going. We are still top,” he said.
Laporta’s comments offered a clear show of support for Flick, whose team had entered the derby with high expectations. The Barcelona coach is in his second season at the club, having guided the side to the league title in his first campaign.
“Flick is the ideal coach for Barça. He understands our genuine way of playing football. We chose Hansi because of the philosophy he defends: a vertical game that we love,” Laporta said.
He added that Barcelona wanted to repeat their domestic success while also making another serious attempt to win the Champions League, a trophy that has eluded them in recent years.
“We have won the league for two years and this year we want to win it again, as well as the Champions League. We are very excited about winning the Champions League, which has eluded us,” he said.
Laporta also described the principles he believes define Flick’s football, pointing to possession, positioning and pressing as the foundations of the team’s identity.
The defeat to Madrid was a setback, but Laporta’s message was that Barcelona would not abandon their approach or lose sight of their season-long objectives. With a young squad and a demanding schedule ahead, the president is backing Flick to respond and keep the team competing for major honours.