Barca Refuse to Dwell on Disappointing Draw, Says Flick

Real Betis' Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini (L) greets Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on April 5, 2025. (AFP)
Real Betis' Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini (L) greets Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on April 5, 2025. (AFP)
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Barca Refuse to Dwell on Disappointing Draw, Says Flick

Real Betis' Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini (L) greets Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on April 5, 2025. (AFP)
Real Betis' Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini (L) greets Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on April 5, 2025. (AFP)

Barcelona missed the chance to extend their lead in the LaLiga standings after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis on Saturday, with their coach Hansi Flick saying they should move on following the disappointing result.

The draw moved Barca to 67 points, four ahead of rivals Real Madrid who slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home by Valencia earlier on Saturday, while Atletico are third on 57 points with eight games to go.

"We tried everything to win, but we couldn't do it," Flick told reporters. "We were unlucky in front of goal, but ... we played a good game.

"On days like today, when you don't manage to score, you have to accept it and see it from a positive perspective. I'm left with the fact that we tried everything and dominated the game."

Flick said that he thinks his team is looking great as they face the final stretch of a season in which they are bidding to win three titles.

As well as leading LaLiga, they are still in contention for the Copa del Rey and Champions League titles.

"We can be proud of what the players have done these last few games," Flick said.

"We are in the (Spanish Cup) final and, despite a draw, we have extended our lead on top. I'm happy, it's a fantastic situation."



Rafael Nadal to Be Honored with a Tribute at the French Open

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Paris, France - June 6, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal poses on the Alexandre III bridge in front of the Eiffel Tower with the trophy after winning the men's singles French Open title REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Paris, France - June 6, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal poses on the Alexandre III bridge in front of the Eiffel Tower with the trophy after winning the men's singles French Open title REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
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Rafael Nadal to Be Honored with a Tribute at the French Open

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Paris, France - June 6, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal poses on the Alexandre III bridge in front of the Eiffel Tower with the trophy after winning the men's singles French Open title REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Paris, France - June 6, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal poses on the Alexandre III bridge in front of the Eiffel Tower with the trophy after winning the men's singles French Open title REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

Retired 14-time champion Rafael Nadal will receive a tribute at the French Open on Court Philippe-Chatrier on May 25, the tournament’s opening day.

“Rafa has left his mark on the history of the French Open in so many ways, that’s why a tribute ceremony will be held in his honor,” French Open director Amélie Mauresmo said on Thursday. “We want the tribute to be special, exceptional. We want it to be a surprise for everyone.”

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion who retired in November, already has a statue rising in the alleys of the clay court Grand Slam. He will also feature in an exhibition in the tournament museum and lend his voice to the official French Open trailer, The Associated Press said.

“We wanted to do the tribute last year, to be transparent, but he refused at the time,” Mauresmo said. “He wasn’t sure that it was his last Roland Garros. Now that he is retired, he is happy to receive it.”

Nadal holds the record for the most French Open titles with 14. His last appearance at the tournament was in 2024 when he lost to Alexander Zverev in the first round.

“Rafael Nadal and Roland Garros are inseparable. We have a strong history together,” said Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation. “Amélie and I went to see him not long ago because we wanted to do something important for him. We still had some frustration from last year.”

Organizers also plan to build on the success of the 2024 Paris Olympics by setting up a fan zone with giant screens showing matches. Located at Place de la Concorde in central Paris, the venue will be free and open to up to 5,000 fans.

“We saw an incredible atmosphere last summer in Paris. We plan on surfing on this success,” Mauresmo said.