Hansi Flick reserved high praise for Jules Koundé, after the Frenchman bagged the winning goal in a 3-2 extra-time win over Real Madrid in the final of the 2024/25 Copa del Rey final.
The trophy keeps the Blaugrana on course for a historic quadruple, and Flick expressed post-match at Sevilla’s La Cartuja: “It was incredible. We’re all so proud of this team. It was a great win.”
More than 20,000 “spectacular” Barça fans made the trip to Andalucía to support their team on Saturday evening, and the gaffer sought to thank them for the “great atmosphere they created throughout the whole day – you’ve just got to see people’s faces! There’s been a great atmosphere here in the stadium.”
But the loudest roar of the night came inside the final ten minutes, when Jules Koundé pounced on a loose ball from Luka Modrić to drive home the winning goal. In Flick’s eyes, it was the perfect reward after a solid defensive performance from the Frenchman.
“Koundé saved two chances in extra time and then he’s gone on to score the decisive goal. I’m so happy for him.”
Barça’s next match sees them host Inter Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday 30 April at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with kick-off in that clash at 20:00 BST [21:00 CEST].