Flick talks Raphinha, Cubarsi, Hamza, Fabregas, rotations ahead of Levante vs Barcelona | OneFootball

La Liga leaders FC Barcelona are back in action on Sunday as they take on Levante away at Ciutat de Valencia, aiming to extend their 100% record so far in the 2026/27 season.

With four wins in four games in La Liga, the Catalans are sitting alone at the top of the table, having plundered 17 goals, while conceding only two.

They also began their UEFA Champions League journey on a scintillating note, beating Feyenoord 5-1 earlier this week, and will be eager to carry that momentum forward.

Ahead of the trip to Valencia to face Levante, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, discussing various topics including the latest renewal of Hamza Abdelkarim as well as the team’s excellent start.

On Barcelona’s excellent start

While expressing his delight at the way Barça are playing, the German tactician stressed the importance of staying focused and performing consistently, saying:

“We’re very happy to be at this level, but we know we have to show it in every game. We have great quality and we maintain intensity and concentration. If we lose either of these things, it won’t be good.”

“This is how we want to play football. I like that we’re enjoying the situation, but we’re staying focused. If we change anything, we’ll be heading in the wrong direction,” he added.

On whether there was any room for improvement, Flick remarked: “Our goal and what we want is to be better every day, for everyone to be hungry to improve.”

Barcelona’s brilliant start has earned praise from all quarters, with Como manager Cesc Fabregas, in particular, hailing the team as ‘frightening’.

Reacting to that the German said: “We’re focused on what we have in our hands. I’m also impressed with Cesc’s Como. I saw the game against Leipzig and they played very well.

“We’re only thinking about the next match. It’s important to have this mentality of taking it one game at a time. We’re on the right track, but it’s a long road to the end of the season.”

Barcelona have been unstoppable so far. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

On the Levante game

When asked if he would be making some rotations on the trip to Levante on Sunday, the manager explained:

“It’s part of the game. The players have to accept it. In each position, we have two or three players who can play, and that’s something we have to accept.

“I was very pleased with the performance against Feyenoord the other day. We’re in good form, and we have to keep it up.”

Sharing his thoughts on the opponents for tomorrow, the Barcelona head coach stated: “Levante is a team that played a great match against Betis. They are well-structured. They know how to play in attack and it will be a good match to compete in.”

On the players

Flick also touched upon the recent contract extension of Hamza Abdelkarim, whose new deal runs until 2030 and sees his release clause increase tenfold.

“The club has done a great job. He’s a player who performed well in preseason and is competing with other players. He’s a different type of player and a great prospect for the future of the club. We had to keep him,” he said.

The German tactician went on to state that the Barcelona squad this year was better than the one he had at his disposal last term.

“The squad is better than last year’s. We talk a lot about the attack, because they score a lot of goals, but for me, the defense is very important. And I see that everyone is performing at a fantastic level,” he noted.

There was also special praise reserved for Pau Cubarsi, who has been excellent for a while now, saying:

“After the World Cup, Cubarsi is playing at a different level. I’m very happy. He has confidence and is focused on his body. He has improved physically, especially for his position.

“He’s playing fantastically with the ball, whether alongside Christensen or Gerard.”

Pau Cubarsi has made a strong start after an excellent World Cup. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Talking about his plans with Raphinha and using him as the team’s No. 9, Flick explained that Barça can easily tweak things and turn to several other options.

“We have three different profiles, but Gordon, Adeyemi, and Olmo can also play, as well as Fermín. We have several options.

“Rapha is playing fantastically, he’s incredible. If he keeps playing like this, for me, it’s one of the best teams in the world.”

Highlighting the team’s physical preparation coming into the season, the Barcelona head coach remarked:

“It’s a new philosophy. We take into account the players’ movements on the field. New coaches have arrived, but the team’s quality and work ethic are good. The energy is very positive. All the players can feel it. We’re at a high level.”

Concluding, Flick was asked if it was difficult for him to motivate the players for La Liga, after having won the title two seasons in a row. In response, he explained:

“Nothing has changed compared to the last two years. This year we want to win the Champions League, that’s our goal, but winning La Liga is also important. Winning it three times in a row would be incredible.

“What I expect most is from how we train and how we stay fit, our diet and sleep. We have to take care of our bodies and minds. Sometimes it’s good to relax a little. We support them. We have experts who know what they’re doing.

“We have the infrastructure to improve. We need to improve the facilities, and that’s important. You’ve seen the new gym. I hope it will be finished soon. That way we’ll have more space inside. All to improve the players.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo