MADRID, 14 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has said that their match this Sunday (4:15 p.m.) against Girona FC, in matchday 5 of LaLiga EA Sports, “is a Champions League-level match”, so it will be “a good test for the matches that are imminently to come” in the top continental competition.
“It’s a Champions League-level match and we’re really looking forward to it because it’s a good test for us ahead of the Champions League matches to come on Thursday. I’m really looking forward to playing tomorrow,” Flick said during a press conference at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Saturday.
The German coach therefore called for improving their run of form at the start of the League. “That’s what I’ve told the team. We’ve had four consecutive wins in four games and we want to continue on this path. However, we know it’s going to be difficult because Girona is a team that knows how to play football, plays well and it will be a high-level match,” he warned.
“It will be a tough match, but we are confident after these four victories and we know that our quality is high, and that of our opponents too. In the end it is all about seeing how we start the match, going 100% from the start and everyone giving their best,” he argued.
On the subject of his next opponent’s players, he added that “they are doing very well.” “They did very well last season. I have seen many Girona matches and I have been very impressed with what the coach is doing with the team. However, Barça also know how they want to play, how we should play and I hope we can achieve that,” he added.
He was then asked about defender Eric Garcia. “He is a player of our team, of Barça. And from what I see in training, he is doing very well. We are still not 100% sure about tomorrow’s starting eleven. But he could be in the starting eleven,” predicted Flick.
“We know that one of Girona’s strong points is possession. So what we have to do is press hard, defend as a team and occupy our positions well. We mustn’t get too far away from our opponents for our defence. It will be a great match, we are prepared and hopefully we can show that tomorrow,” reiterated the German Barça coach.
“Our team also likes to have the ball, to have possession, and if we manage to do that, we have a good chance of winning the game,” insisted the Blaugrana coach before avoiding questions about the Ballon d’Or. “It’s a good question, but it’s not my job to give an opinion on this. There are fantastic footballers, of great quality. It wouldn’t be me who would comment on this… It’s not my job,” he replied.
Last season, Girona already beat the Catalans in a convincing manner. “We don’t look back, we look forward to tomorrow. And tomorrow is an important day. Obviously we’ve seen the previous games and also the ones they’ve played this season. And they’re doing very well, Girona are very good with the ball,” warned Flick again.
“As I’ve said before in several answers, our performance in defence must really be 100%. If we want to play football against Girona, we won’t be able to win the game if we don’t give 100%,” stressed the German coach. He also spoke about the possible return of striker Ansu Fati to a Barça squad.
“We are very happy to have him back with us and there will certainly be plenty of opportunities in the coming weeks. That is positive for the team. It is also worth mentioning that Gavi has also participated in part of the training sessions and when you see how he performs, how he wants to play football and how happy he is, it is very positive for the team as a whole. It is great to have both of them back,” he said.
“Everyone wants to play, everyone is ready to play and everyone likes to play, so I have no doubts about that,” said Flick about the availability of his entire squad. So far, Barça have started the league campaign with very good results.
“It has to do with the confidence of the players, with their passion for football, with how they are aligned and with our idea of how we want to play. And that is our idea: to press. And if we have the opportunity to score, to try. Obviously, each game is different. It is simply a game plan, but it is our objective,” he said.
“And if we lose the ball, we have to win it back and create opportunities, create chances. We did very well in the last game. I also want to say that when you see the players, when you see the performance on the pitch, when you see the relationship between the pitch and the fans… it’s incredible. I think the players feel doubly motivated thanks to the fans and they are motivated to continue in this line of work. They are doing very well and they did very well in the last game,” he repeated.
He then went on to list other names in his squad. “I think Lamine is at a very high level, but at his age he can still improve and he has to improve. It’s fantastic to see how he trains day after day, but he has to move forward, improve and train hard. Champions don’t rest. And I think that’s good advice I can give him. If you want to be a great champion, you can’t rest much. You have to keep going and keep going,” he added.
“It’s not so much about the coach, but about the atmosphere in the team, in the club, etc. And what I’ve said over the last few weeks, that I’m also very happy with the atmosphere that Deco has promoted with his new coach and new staff. There’s a very good atmosphere, lots of experts who bring a lot of energy and well-being to the team. I think that’s a signal that we send to the players, that we all give our all so that they get a high performance,” explained Flick.
He also praised Raphinha. “When we see his development since last season, we see that he is at his best. He plays a decisive role in every game and tomorrow it will also be very important for Raphinha to maintain that level of play because he is a brilliant player. I love watching him, I also love seeing how intense he is in training and in matches,” he said about the Brazilian.
“A player like him, with his technique and his experience, when he gives 100%, when he puts in all the intensity he has and the rest of the players see it, well, this also spreads energy and positivity to the rest. He’s doing very well,” concluded the Barça coach.