Every word from Hansi Flick after Barcelona beat Real Oviedo 3-0 in La Liga | OneFootball

FC Barcelona beat Real Oviedo 3–0 in La Liga in their first game at the Spotify Camp Nou this year. Goals from Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal were enough for the Catalan club to secure three points and return to the top of the table.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde-esque performance from Flick’s men, with a very poor first half followed by a very good second. Ultimately, the important thing is that they got the job done and can now focus on the Champions League.

The German coach acknowledged the contrast but ultimately focused on the team’s reaction and mentality, especially after the instructions given at halftime.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, as quoted by SPORT, Flick explained that the key moment of the night was not the spectacular goal that closed the scoring but the action that sparked the comeback:

“Wow, that’s a difficult question, but for me, the most important thing was the first goal — how he pressed and recovered the ball. For me, the first goal was more important than the third, although obviously everyone loved seeing such a goal and I’m happy he scored it.”

The coach highlighted that Yamal’s improvement mirrored that of the entire team after the halftime break:

“He certainly had more space in the second half, and he made the most of it. In the first half, it was more about the team as a whole, which is why we didn’t play so well collectively. In the second half, he made the right decisions, and we’re happy.”

Fixture congestion and tired legs were also part of Flick’s explanation for Barcelona’s sluggish start. With matches coming thick and fast, the German made it clear that the context mattered:

“Oviedo had nothing to lose, and it’s hard to fight against that. They pressed very high and we didn’t play at our best level in the first half, but we improved a lot in the second. We pressed, the goal came quickly and that was the best thing. We have many matches in a row, we returned very late from the last one, we don’t have rest days and that has to be taken into account.”

Beyond the goals, Hansi Flick was keen to single out several individual performances that underpinned the win. Eric Garcia earned special praise for his influence and leadership, particularly after halftime:

“He gave us stability, especially in the second half. The most important thing is that he’s growing as a leader — the team needs him, and I think he likes this role of being a leader. He grew up here, at La Masia, and everything he gives us in all the positions he plays is very good. It’s incredible.”

Dani Olmo’s impact was also highlighted, with Flick pointing to his recent improvement and ability to make the right decisions in decisive moments:

“Like the rest of the team, he played at another level in the second half. He has improved a lot in the last two or three matches, and that’s why he plays. Not everyone is capable of scoring and knowing what to do with the ball, and Dani does.”

Joao Cancelo made his first start since returning to the club, and Hansi Flick admitted that adaptation will take time, while also explaining his decision to manage Alejandro Balde’s minutes:

“He has just arrived and in some situations he needs to adapt to our style — to press, to be intense. He has taken a first step, and he’s improving in every training session and every match. I wanted to manage Balde’s minutes.”

Marc Casado’s inclusion from the start was another notable decision, and Flick made it clear that the midfielder fully earned his opportunity:

The coach also addressed comparisons with Marc Bernal and confirmed that the two can coexist in midfield:

“They are a bit different — ‘Casa’ is very intelligent and Bernal controls the ball very well.”

Finally, Hansi Flick was unequivocal when asked about possible squad changes in the coming weeks. For the Barcelona coach, the transfer market is effectively closed:

“There is no option for me — I don’t want anyone to leave, we need everyone. And there is no other option that we want.”

With Barcelona still competing on multiple fronts and the Champions League clash against Copenhagen looming, Flick’s message was clear. Squad depth and continuity are essential, and every player will be needed as the fixture list continues to pile up.