Hansi Flick "accepts" Barcelona's second half performance against Espanyol

Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in the Catalan Derby with all three goals from the Blaugrana coming in the first half. Given how Barcelona dismantled Sevilla, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, many were expecting Barcelona to do the same to their city rivals.

However, things didn't exactly play out like that.

The second half performance from Barcelona was un uncomfortable viewing for their supporters. Espanyol had two goals rightly called off for offside before they finally pulled one back. The goal seemed to be a wake up call but Barcelona were unable to add to their lead.

Manager Hansi Flick was asked about his team's display in the second half during his post match press conference.

"We have picked up three points and we have won the derby, which is important," Flick said. "It's true that in the second half we dropped the pace and we lost concentration at certain moments, but these things happen. I accept it because we won but looking ahead to Wednesday [in the Champions League], we will have to be strong and raise the level."

In other words, Flick realizes his team is going to have these dropoffs once in a while and he understands why it happened. They were up by three goals to start the second half and with a Champions League fixture midweek, perhaps some of those players were reserving their energy for the match ahead.

At the same time, he doesn't want to see a repeat of the second half to carry over to Wednesday when they face Red Star Belgrade. It's one thing to drop the intensity when the game is all but won but it's another to think a game is won before it's even been played.

Despite the full week to prepare for Espanyol, Barcelona were coming off an intense week prior with the aforementioned games against Sevilla, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. But the intensity shown in those three matches will have to return in the Champions League.

As Barcelona saw against Monaco, there are no easy away fixtures in this competition. Having won back-to-back games at home, Barcelona need to pick up a road win to propel themselves higher in the Champions League table under the new format.

Red Star Belgrade sit near the bottom of the standings but that does not mean Barcelona should take them lightly. Therefore, it's why Flick will demand complete concentration for Wednesday's match should Barcelona want to win and keep this good run of form going.