Hansi Flick talks Olmo, Inigo, Szczesny, Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona vs Alaves | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will lock horns with Deportivo Alaves on Sunday afternoon at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Matchweek 22 of La Liga.

The Blaugrana could find themselves ten points behind arch-rivals and league leaders Real Madrid, who are in action against RCD Espanyol tonight.

As such, Hansi Flick & co. will be eager to avoid any slip-ups, having not been in the best of form in La Liga since the end of November.

Ahead of tomorrow’s game in Montjuic, manager Flick addressed the media today, discussing a variety of topics.

On the Alaves clash

Talking about what his team can expect from Alaves tomorrow, the German tactician said: “We have to be hungry to take the three points. We have to be cautious because they scored against us in the first few minutes. We have to be focused.”

Further talking about what his team need to do, he added: “If we’re 5-10% below what you need to be, it’s not possible to win. Everyone is fighting to stay in La Liga. We have to make it clear how good Barça are. At 100 per cent and always.”

On the team’s preparation for tomorrow’s match, he added: “We’ll see what happens. We’ve come up with several alternatives and we’re prepared.”

Talking about what kind of tactics he expects from Alaves, Flick stated: “What I was saying. They are stabilising the defence. They defend very well, they press very well.

“Sometimes they play with five at the back. In the first 10 minutes they start very well. We have to keep an eye on that. We have to be focused from the start.”

Discussing the 2 pm (CET) kickoff time and whether it affects the team’s preparation and routine, he remarked:

“It involves adapting to the training and we do that. I don’t look at the timetable in retrospect. We are focused on tomorrow against Alaves and it is important that we are ready.

“It will be tough, we’ll see how they play, whether they go more defensive or attacking. We are prepared for both scenarios. The team can play at 14:00.”

On the squad

Inigo set to return but no Dani Olmo. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

The Barcelona head coach then provided a fitness update on the Spanish duo of Inigo Martinez and Dani Olmo, saying:

“It’s not easy for the players. The schedule is what it is. We are doing well with all the technical staff. Inigo is back, Dani has a little bit left. We are happy with Inigo’s return.”

Meanwhile, settling the goalkeeping debate for good, Flick confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny is now the No. 1 ahead of Inaki Pena, saying:

“At the moment, that’s how it is. Szczesny is No. 1.”

Flick then touched on the number of youngsters in the squad, with the manager fully embracing the tradition of promoting La Masia talents since taking over the reins in the summer.

“What I see in training is that they like to enjoy the competition. They enjoy playing. They feel the confidence that the team gives them. We all trust them. They feel that we are happy, that we support them and that they can play a great game,” he noted.

The Barcelona head coach then spoke about the team finishing in the Top 8 of the UEFA Champions League, which means they do not have to the knockout playoffs and get additional rest, while Real Madrid need to go through two additional matches.

“As I said, it was important. It was not easy. We played Monday, Saturday… I didn’t imagine it like this, but after Valencia we play Sevilla,” he said.

“We can give the players a rest and we’ll have more days to train, especially in the first week. It will be positive. It’s a good thing. It will help us.”

Continuing, he added: “Madrid? I’m talking about my team. It will be good for us to have two free weeks.”

Flick also highlighted the benefit of having quality depth in the squad, which was on display when Barcelona thrashed Valencia 7-1 last weekend despite heavily rotating the team.

“In each position, we have two players and that’s always positive. When Dani comes back there will be one more. For any team, it’s positive to have options in every position. That’s what I saw against Valencia. It’s positive to see that,” Flick noted.

On what position in the squad he would like to reinforce, the Barça head coach said: “I don’t want to talk about that. I am satisfied with the team. We have to work with what we have.

“What I can see here is that everyone is focused and can play. Everyone wants to go one step further. That’s what matters.”

Regarding the title race and the fact that Barcelona are already seven points behind Real Madrid, Flick remarked:

“The situation is bad. We have lost a lot of points. We have to win games in a row and put pressure on Real Madrid. We have to win games in a row and put pressure on Madrid. With seven points it’s not easy to put pressure on them, but we’ll keep fighting.”

Source: AS