Hansi Flick on Raphinha, Rashford, Newcastle United and the best atmosphere in England… | OneFootball

Hansi Flick facing his first Champions League match of the season.

Newcastle v Barcelona an 8pm kick-off on Thursday night at St James’ Park.

At the Hansi Flick Newcastle United press conference, the Barcelona boss speaking about a number of things.

Not wanting to speak about missing his best player Lamine Yamal and his fury with the Spanish national team.

Instead, Hansi Flick wanting to talk about the likes of Rashford and Raphinha who are set to play against Newcastle United.

Hansi Flick Newcastle United press conference:

“It is one of the best, maybe the best, atmosphere here [at St James’ Park] in the Premier League.

“A tall team with high intensity, dynamic, who win a lot of second balls.

“Vertically they play really good.

“It is a team that has built over the last years.

“Eddie Howe and his coaching staff have done a fantastic job.”

Hansi Flick on Marcus Rashford:

“I always thought, ‘Wow, what kind of player he is…Unbelievable.’

“He has speed, but his one against one situation is really fantastic.

“Also, his finishing is unbelievable.

“What I have seen in the first weeks here is really good.

“He has some more potential that he can show us and he wants to do this.

“It is great to have him in my team.”

Hansi Flick on the season so far:

“It is all about learning and also getting better every day.

“Our pre-season was OK, we won every match, but we didn’t have the quality we normally have in the early matches in La Liga.

“On Sunday [Barcelona 6 Valencia 0] it was like last season, this is good for me to see this.”

Hansi Flick asked about missing players, especially Lamine Yamal, but didn’t want to speak about absent players, instead the likes of Raphinha who will play:

“He [Raphinha] is one of our key players.

“He starts the press and the dynamic for the whole team and this is really good to see.”

The eight NUFC Champions League fixtures for Newcastle United:

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (kick-off 5:45pm BST)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 5th November: Newcastle United vs Athletic Club (kick-off 8pm BST)

Tuesday 25th November: Olympique Marseille vs Newcastle United (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 10th December: Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United (kick-off 8pm BST)