Barcelona will be aiming for their fifth consecutive victory in the 2024/25 La Liga when they face Michel’s Girona on Sunday afternoon.
With four wins from four games, Hansi Flick and Co. are currently at the top of La Liga and are keen to carry this momentum with them when they return to action after the two-week break due to the international break.
On the eve of the match, coach Flick spoke to the media in his usual pre-match press conference and gave updates on the fitness situation of players such as Ansu Fati and Gavi, while discussing several other topics.
About Girona
At the beginning, Flick revealed what kind of challenge Barcelona expects from Girona:
“It will be difficult because they are playing well. It will be a tough game at a high level, but we want to keep winning after winning the first four games. Everyone will have to do their best.”
He added: “This is a Champions League level game. They played very well last season. But we know how we want to play and I hope we can do it.”
The German tactician revealed how Barcelona plans to approach Girona this afternoon: “We know that possession is one of their strengths. We need to press and defend well as a team, occupy our positions well and not get too far away from our opponents. It will be a great game.”
“We are ready and hopefully we can show that tomorrow. My team also likes to have possession of the ball and if we manage that, we have a chance of winning the game.”
Girona had the advantage in both league games against Barcelona last season, but Flick stressed that they are not looking at what happened in the past.
“We are not looking back. Tomorrow is an important day. Girona are good with the ball, they are good. Our defensive performance must be 100 percent.”
“This is a Champions League level game and we are looking forward to it. It is a good test before the game against Monaco on Thursday.”
To the squad
It will be a special game for Eric Garcia as he returns to Montilivi, where he spent last season on loan and made a big impression. And Flick hinted that the Spaniard could be in the starting line-up against Girona, saying:
“From what I see in training, he’s doing very well. We’re not sure about the starting lineup yet, but he could be in the starting eleven.”
Ansu Fati and Gavi both returned to group training this week, giving Barcelona a huge boost.
While Gavi’s return is still a while away, Fati was expected to be ready for tomorrow’s game but was not on the squad list. Flick explained:
“We are happy to have him back with us. He will get his chance in the next few weeks and that will be good for the team.”
“Gavi is also taking part in the training sessions. It’s good to have both of them here. Yes, we’re focusing on Ansu for Thursday.”
Regarding the fitness level of the players returning from international matches, Flick said: “They all want to play. They are ready to play and they enjoy playing. I have no doubt about that.”
Today, Girona coach Michel Lamine described Yamal as the most differential player in La Liga when it comes to 1v1 situations. Flick agreed with his counterpart and said:
“Michel is right, he is a very decisive player. Lamine is at a high level, but at his age he can improve and he needs to improve. It’s great to see him every day, but he needs to continue to develop.”
When asked if the 17-year-old needed rest, he added: “Champions don’t rest. He has to work hard. If he wants to be a great champion, he can’t rest too much. He has to keep going.”
Flick also spoke about Raphinha’s top form, explaining that it had nothing to do with coaching, but rather with the player’s confidence and the general atmosphere.
“It’s less the coach’s fault than the atmosphere in the club and in the dressing room, in the technical office. Everything helps. He’s in top form. He plays a decisive role in every game.”
“He is a brilliant player. I love his intensity in games and training. A player like him gives everything and transmits energy and positivity to the rest of the team.”
At the Ballon d’Or: Tactics
When the nominees for the Ballon d’Or were announced earlier this month, Hansi Flick was asked about his favourites for the award, but the FC Barcelona coach refused to answer, saying:
“That’s a good question… It’s not my job to give an opinion on that. There are fantastic footballers of great quality and it’s not my job to give my opinion. That’s not my job, I insist on that.”
In their four games so far this season, Barcelona have scored 13 goals. When asked about the coach’s role in motivating the team to score more goals, Flick replied:
“It has to do with the players’ confidence, their passion, the team’s game idea. It’s our idea: to put the opponent under pressure and when we have a chance to score, we try to take it.”
“It’s a game idea, a goal, a target. To generate chances, to win the ball back when we lose it. But every game is different. I think the players feel doubly motivated when they play in front of their home fans.”
When asked if he plans to rotate players ahead of the Champions League game next week, Flick replied:
“I’m not thinking about Thursday. I’m concentrating on tomorrow’s game. My energy is focused on the game against Girona.”
Source: SPORT
