Flick: “We only have this game in our heads”

The FC Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, has assured that he only has this Saturday’s match against Osasuna in El Sadar “in his head” and that he is not thinking about the mathematical possibility of winning LaLiga EA Sports, in addition to being convinced “100%” that they can compete with other teams such as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

“I only focus on this game. First we have to win this game, and that would mean that we have done our job well. That is what I want to see from the team,” he declared at a press conference. “We only have this game in our heads and that is why it is important for me to win it,” he added.

In this sense, he insisted that they are going to face a team “with a lot of experience.” “They have a great striker, Budimir, and he is doing things very well, he knows how to get out with the ball. It is going to be difficult, and the atmosphere there with the fans is fantastic. It is important to play at the same level as the one we played against Getafe; we defended very well as a team, and on the offensive side we used the spaces they left us. I hope to see the same tomorrow. We are focused on tomorrow’s game, I don’t want to talk about other games that we have to play yet,” he said regarding the Classic.

He also remembered the 4-2 defeat in the culer’s last visit to El Sadar, last season. “I think that that day we made a lot of changes in the starting eleven, and that is not going to happen tomorrow. Furthermore, now we are in a good moment and I also know that Osasuna is going through a very good moment, it is playing well and has the opportunity to play in Europe next year. For me they are two different situations. We are prepared for this game and, as always, we have to give our best,” he said.

On the other hand, the German coach also did not want to assess the possibility of reaching 100 points in LaLiga, something that the club only achieved in the course in which Tito Vilanova led the team. “We focus on the next game. Obviously, we want to win every game left until the end of the season. I’m not very good with numbers, but it would be perfect if we can win every game we have left, although we have tough rivals,” he said.

“Our job is to play at the best level in each game, to learn from the mistakes of the previous game for the next. This is our philosophy, our attitude, our mentality. And what I am seeing today is something that I like. I am very happy, I see in training that there is a positive atmosphere and the players are fully focused. It is a very good situation currently,” he continued.

In another order of things, regarding whether Barça could compete with teams like Paris Saint Germain or Bayern Munich, Flick was very clear. “100%, for sure,” he said forcefully.

“WE WILL SEE LAMINE IN THE WORLD CUP”

The Barça coach also spoke about the current condition of Lamine Yamal and confirmed that they are communicating with the Spanish team’s doctors. “We are in contact with them. It is important that Lamine is also, he is in contact with the coach and is progressing well. I think we will see him in the World Cup. He has more time to recover, to be back, and that is what he wants,” he stressed.

However, he did not reveal if he will be able to count on Raphinha this Saturday. “Rapha is one of those players who always gives 100% on the pitch, in the training session. His mentality and attitude is always the same, giving 100%, giving everything. And this season he has suffered, but for us it is important that he is back. He will travel with us and we will see what happens tomorrow. For the team it is fantastic to have him back because he is one of our captains, a positive person, someone who can give us what we need,” he said.

Furthermore, he did not want to talk about the future of the Polish Robert Lewandowski. “Of course we have talked, but it is something that remains between the two of us. And in the case of each player, we focus on the five games that remain this season. And when we finish, we will all talk and see what happens,” he declared.

He also explained how Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen are doing. “In the case of Andreas, I’m not sure, we will go step by step. In the case of Bernal, yes, he will be with us tomorrow. He will be able to travel and could play a minute,” he said, and assured that Xavi Espart “is doing things well.” “I like what I see of him. Looking ahead to next season, he is a very good option for that position, and also an option for the following games,” he stated.

Flick was moved by how the fans support him. “They thank me every day and it’s fantastic, it’s something I’m very grateful for. It’s an honor for me. When you coach a club like Barça, it’s about winning titles, and both my staff and I and everyone who started this journey had this goal in mind, with this team. We have a fantastic environment in this club, also in the locker room, and this helps. You can have the best players, but to win the titles, you need the best team. For me it’s important how we manage everything, how we play for each other. others, that’s what counts. And that makes me happy,” he confessed.

“They are doing things very well, they give everything for this club. The environment here is fantastic and everyone is 100% with the club, fans, members, all at the same time. It is a fantastic feeling when you go out on the street, also when you lose. It is incredible, sometimes it surprises me a lot. They appreciate how the team plays, always giving everything, with confidence. They give everything for this club. It makes me feel proud, but I think that we still have to continue evolving, improving, which is what we want to do next season. It’s coming. Although we’re not done yet. We’ve only won one League so far; we’re doing well, but we have to win some more games,” he continued.

Finally, he did not want to comment on Hancko’s penalty on Gyökeres in Atlético-Arsenal, similar to the one Marcos Llorente did not whistle on Dani Olmo in the second leg of the ‘Champions’ quarterfinals. “I don’t want to think about this right now, I’m not going to waste my time thinking about things like that. It’s a thing of the past and the past is in the past. I’ve seen both games and I simply wanted to enjoy them. I’m not going to think or talk about what happened,” he concluded.