Flick talks Olmo, Gavi, De Jong, Casado, Szczesny, Fermin, Real Madrid ahead of Valencia vs Barcelona | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will be aiming to take a step towards securing their second trophy of the season when they take on Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals tomorrow at Mestalla.

The Spanish Super Cup winners faced Los Che in La Liga two weeks ago and absolutely mauled them, securing a 7-1 victory.

With that triumph still fresh in their minds, Barcelona will go into tomorrow’s clash at Mestalla in a confident mood.

On the eve of the match, manager Hansi Flick addressed the media, providing key updates regarding the fitness of Dani Olmo and Gavi, among other things.

On the Valencia clash

Starting off with what they can expect from the game against Valencia after the 7-1 win last month, Flick noted:

“It’s a completely different game, we’re going to give everything, we’re going to try to press and they’re going to do the same. Everything will be different, the atmosphere and the atmosphere.”

Discussing Barcelona’s away form at Mestalla against Valencia, Flick further added: “I remember the league game in Valencia, the first of the season. It was hard work and we came back. The atmosphere was incredible and they put us under good pressure.

“It wasn’t easy to win and it will be the same tomorrow. It’s a cup game. Tomorrow we can’t win the title, but we can lose it.”

On the squad

Dani Olmo is back. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

The Barcelona manager then confirmed that Olmo will return from his injury tomorrow but Gavi is out following the head injury he suffered at the weekend.

“Regarding Dani we will see, he is an option in the second half. Regarding Gavi, the protocol is as it is. He won’t be available for tomorrow. We have to look after him, the blow he got was very hard for him,” said the German.

Talking in detail about Olmo and his injury problems thus far, Flick added: “Dani has shown in many games how important he is for us. He scores goals, he knows how to keep the ball. It’s important to have players like him in the team, but we have to look after him.

“He’s been injured quite a lot, but we also have to make him play. We have to be careful, we have to know how he feels so we can adapt. He’s very important for us.”

The Barça boss was then asked about the recent form of Frenkie de Jong and whether it would mean fewer playing minutes for Marc Casado. In response, he said:

“You always compare players by position, but that’s not the way it goes. We have a game tomorrow and another one on Sunday. We will arrive in the early hours of the morning and I need all the players.

“I’m happy to have options. Frenkie is a great player, but also Casado. It doesn’t matter who I choose, the important thing is the team.”

On being asked if he plans to make any rotations tomorrow, Flick replied: “It’s normal that we think about rotations. We play at 9.30 pm and we won’t be able to travel back from Valencia, which means we’ll be late.

“Then we have a game in Seville and we have to think about the players. There may be rotations.”

Flick also confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal tomorrow ahead of Inaki Pena, despite it being a cup game, saying: “Szczesny is number one. It’s clear.”

Explaining his decision to back Szczesny over Pena, he added: “I understand that you compare two players. Inaki is a fantastic goalkeeper, but we chose Tek because of his personality and his style. He is doing well.

“They are both great goalkeepers. The decision is the one we have made and we have to stick with it. We always decide for the good of the team and that’s how I want to do it.”

Regarding the No. 10 position in the team and what he expects of players who are used in that role, Flick remarked:

“When you see Gavi or Pedri they have done well. They have attacked and pressed high, but also with the ball they have understood the position well. They are also good in front of goal. Fermin did very well against Valencia.”

Szczesny will continue over Pena in goal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

On Real Madrid and other topics

Flick then aimed a dig at Real Madrid over their formal complaint about refereeing after losing to Espanyol, saying that it was not Barça’s style.

“If I’m honest, I don’t want to talk about it. They have done so, but that is not our style. We don’t make excuses. Every club has its own way,” said Flick.

“We are human and we make mistakes. The referees have a complicated job and we have to take care of it. It’s not easy for them.”

On being further probed about the statement from Real Madrid, the Barcelona manager added:

“I think I’ve said it all. When I arrived I said I didn’t want excuses or complaints. We have to win our games and we know that we have let several points slip away. That’s our fault. We have to see what we can do.

“On Sunday we have another important game, but the first thing is to win in Valencia.”

Flick will be celebrating his 60th birthday this month and touched upon how it will be a special one for him, doing so as the manager of Barcelona.

“In my life, I often think about situations I would like to live and many dreams have come true. Coaching Barça was a dream. For me it’s incredible to be here on my 60th birthday,” said Flick.

“I love Barcelona, the city, the food and the sun, but I also love this club. Working and training with this team is fantastic, I have unique players. I have never had that before. It’s great to see this and I really appreciate it. It’s a dream come true.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo