Flick talks Gavi, Bardghji, Espart, De Jong, Cubarsi, Martin ahead of Barcelona vs Sevilla | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will be aiming to get back to winning ways when they lock horns with Sevilla tomorrow at the Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga.

Having failed to defeat Newcastle United (1-1) in the UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 first leg, Hansi Flick & co. will be intent on correcting course and building momentum before the second leg against the Magpies next week.

The match will also coincide with the Barcelona presidential elections, with the voting set to take place tomorrow.

On the eve of the game, Flick appeared in front of the media for his pre-match press conference, during which he discussed the elections as well as the return of fan-favourite midfielder Gavi after six months out.

Kicking things off, the German tactician insisted that the team’s focus is fully on the match tomorrow despite all the noise surrounding the elections.

“100% focused on the match. Then this week we have three more matches. Our goal is to play these three matches at home and win each one. Sevilla has strengths; they beat us, they press high… we want to win.”

On the return of Gavi, he mentioned: “I’m happy he’s back. We have to take it step by step with him. 

“We’ve seen him in training, and I like what I’ve seen, but we have to manage him… He has the right attitude, he trusts his body, how he can play… We all know Gavi, I love his intensity, everything he gives us.”

Discussing the goal drought that Barcelona’s two strikers, Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski, Flick remarked: “It’s a good time for them to be back; we’re on the right track.”

On the matter of Roony Bardghji and the lack of minutes for the young winger, Flick elaborated:

“A few minutes? It’s no problem, he’s very professional and has an excellent attitude… It’s not easy for him to play on this team, especially with the quality we have, but he does a great job in training.”

Full focus on Sevilla. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Xavi Espart became the latest La Masia prodigy to make his first-team debut for Barcelona, coming on as a substitute against Newcastle. Amid rumours that he could start tomorrow against Sevilla, Flick said:

“Every player on the team could be in the starting eleven. Xavi, who was training with us, got injured, and now in these training sessions, he’s another option; neither Balde nor Kounde can play.”

Talking about the 1-1 draw against Newcastle and the physical toll that the recent run of games has taken on the team, he explained:

“Sometimes, like when we lost to Atletico, we learned a lesson. But we played up to four games in eleven days, and you have to remember that some players are returning from injury, and everything takes time.

“Pedri, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford are doing well. And none of these games have been easy. So I think we’ve done things right.”

Providing an update on the injured midfielder Frenkie de Jong, he added: “We are confident he will return after the international break, but everything is going well.”

The Barcelona manager also praised the defensive axis of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin, while also highlighting Eric Garcia as a key option.

“Eric was suspended for the Atletico game and couldn’t play against Newcastle either.

“As for Gerard, I can say he’s improved tremendously in attitude and mentality; he’s always focused in every match. I’ve even liked what I’ve seen from him in training. And the same goes for Cubarsi: I’m very happy with both of them.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo