Flick talks Fermin, Lamine, Raphinha, Ferran, Lewandowski, Bardghji, Bernal after Barcelona 6-0 Valencia | OneFootball

FC Barcelona bounced back to winning ways and did so in style as they thrashed Valencia 6-0 at Estadi Johan Cruyff in their first home game of the season.

A brace from three players – Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski – led the Blaugrana to a dominant victory in a game where they gave the visitors no chance.

Flick delighted with the performance

Speaking to the media after the game, Hansi Flick expressed his delight at the way the Barcelona players performed on Sunday night.

Before he spoke at the press conference, the Barça head coach gave a short interview on Movistar+, discussing the performance of Fermin Lopez, who once again starred at Estadi Johan Cruyff, after doing so in the Gamper Trophy match vs Como.

“Very good [Fermin], but not just his. The whole team enjoyed playing, and that’s what matters,” said Flick.

With Ferran Torres excelling as the No. 9 this season, and now Robert Lewandowski also being back among the goals, Flick has a big selection headache – one which he happily embraces.

“For me, the important thing is the team. Today we decided on Ferran, but we have to keep going. This is the first of seven games we have before the next break. We won, we have three points.”

Regarding reports that Raphinha was benched in favour of Roony Bardghji because the Brazilian was late to a pre-match training session, Flick remarked:

“We decided. Roony had trained well, was in a good frame of mind, and Raphinha was coming after a trip.”

On his statements criticising the Spain NT and the RFEF over Lamine Yamal’s fitness setback, Flick stated: “I said the words I said and nothing more. Nothing more to say.”

Flick’s press conference

At the press conference, Flick was asked for his opinion on Fermin’s performance, and the manager was quick to praise the Spanish international.

“For me, today was a big step. It’s what I want to see every game. On the pitch, he’s very aggressive against the ball and wins a lot of balls, but he’s also incredible with the ball. He showed that today, and when you have that confidence, it’s really great,” he said.

“I think he can also improve a little and stay calmer. Maybe in some situations, not tunnel like he did, and just play normally. He has to improve, but he’s on the right path.”

Stealing the show. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

On the performance of the entire team, he added: “I’m happy with the performance. I think we showed what we want to do from the start. The intensity was very high, we were focused on the game. We played as a team, together, but also for each other.

“This is what we wanted to see today, and we did very well. In the end, this is what it is. The starting eleven did fantastically, but also the players who came off the bench, who raised their level.

“I think I value what I saw today a lot, and this is a start after the international break.”

Regarding Lamine’s absence and how the team coped with it, Flick said: “I’m very happy because the team showed we play together as a team, so it didn’t matter.

“This can always happen; De Jong wasn’t there, Balde wasn’t there… So it is what it is. We have to focus on each game and be ready for each one.”

On the performance of Raphinha, who came on at half-time and scored a brace, Flick noted: “We’ve always only had 11 players who could start, but we have more in the squad [he jokes]. Bardghji started because he trains well, and his attitude is really fantastic.

“I love what I see and also his mentality; he always wants to learn, always wants to play with the team, and he’s been good.”

Sunday night was a special occasion for Marc Bernal as he finally made his comeback on the pitch after more than a year out due to an ACL injury. Welcoming the youngster back into the fold, the manager said:

“I think after this long journey, from injury to returning to the pitch, especially for him and his family, it’s a great moment because he’s worked so hard over the last year. You can also see it in the stadium with the fans, how they celebrate.

“It means a lot to everyone at this club and especially to the team. I always say this team is incredible, the relationship they have is fantastic, and you could also see that when he arrived.

“It’s great, really great. I’m very happy for him, for his family, and also for us that he’s back.”

Concluding, Flick once again touched on the competition for the No. 9 slot between Ferran and Lewandowski, saying:

“First of all, I’m happy we’re where we are because of this great quality and, of course, also because I like it. I’ve said it before, the players who have arrived have raised our performance level, and that’s what I want to see.

“It’s always about the team, not about me or any one player. It’s about the team, and we have to focus on that.”

Source: AS