Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
he won't leave before he wins a cl
Germany has fired him, otherwise he wouldnt have come to Barca
Hans-Dieter Flick
- Thread starter Fati_Future_BallonDor
- Start date
he won't leave before he wins a cl
Germany has fired him, otherwise he wouldnt have come to Barca
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
Kicking things off, the German tactician praised the way Elche play, saying: “It’s different. I like the way Elche plays. They play good football and as a team. It will be important to pressure them the way we want.”
Regarding his team’s situation heading into the match, especially after the Clasico loss, Flick added: “I’ve been happy the last few days because I’ve liked what I’ve seen. We have Olmo and Lewandowski back, but we’ve lost Pedri.”
Amid reports suggesting that Lamine Yamal was not at 100% fitness, Flick issued an update on the Barcelona sensation’s condition, saying:
“There’s talk about Lamine every week. He’s doing well. I just spoke with him. He experiences some discomfort on certain days. He’s improving and pushing himself. He’s progressing well.”
On how he and the staff handle things with Lamine, he added: “We do it. We talk to him and we do it normally. We’re both very honest. I’ll always protect him and support him. He’s a fantastic guy, very young. We’ll continue down this path.”
Talking about the injury blow to Pedri, which will keep him out for 6-7 weeks, the Barcelona coach remarked:
“The injury surprised us. After playing against Real Madrid, he only felt fatigued. Then the injury was discovered. We have to accept it. We’re missing one of our key players. He gives us stability and a lot of possession. We have to manage.”
On the number of injuries for Barcelona this season, which has become a concern within the club, the manager noted:
“Sometimes things are like that. We have to accept it. There’s still a long way to go until the end of the season.”
Flick also issued an update on goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s condition and spoke about whether Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo were ready to start after being cleared for the match.
“With Joan Garcia, we’re taking it day by day. He looks good, but we shouldn’t put pressure on him. We’ll see how much Lewandowski and Olmo can play tomorrow,” he said.
When asked if he felt that the players were underperforming this season, Flick noted: “When not everyone is available to play, it’s not easy to manage.
“It makes it harder for them to reach their best level. Now, with Olmo and Lewandowski, the other players will raise their level.”
Flick was also asked about Pau Cubarsi and how the teenage defender can take his game to the next level and fulfil his potential. In response, he said:
“He’s 18. That’s normal; it’s not the same as being 24 or 26 when you’re always at your peak. He’s playing at a very high level; 95% of the players are top-level.
“I’m very happy with him. Perhaps it’s not just him; others aren’t at their best either. We have to improve on that; that’s our job.”
Flick was not on the touchline for Barcelona’s loss to Real Madrid last week due to a one-match ban. On being asked about the experience of having to watch the game from the stands, he said:
“I don’t want to look back. I didn’t like it. I have to work hard so I can be on the bench for every game.”
The manager was also asked if he considered using Lamine in a more central role, to which he said:
“I think the best way for him to get back to his best right now is to return to where he performed best. In some situations, he can play from the centre. The most important thing for him is to touch the ball; that’s his strength.”
On the youngster’s comment regarding Real Madrid, which sparked a lot of controversy, Flick stated: “For me, Real Madrid is in the past; I don’t want to talk about it.”
Concluding, the Barcelona manager spoke about Inaki Pena, currently on loan at Elche from the Catalan club.
“Inaki is a great goalkeeper, but we have to play a good game. We have to win the three points; it won’t be easy,” he said.
Regarding his team’s situation heading into the match, especially after the Clasico loss, Flick added: “I’ve been happy the last few days because I’ve liked what I’ve seen. We have Olmo and Lewandowski back, but we’ve lost Pedri.”
Amid reports suggesting that Lamine Yamal was not at 100% fitness, Flick issued an update on the Barcelona sensation’s condition, saying:
“There’s talk about Lamine every week. He’s doing well. I just spoke with him. He experiences some discomfort on certain days. He’s improving and pushing himself. He’s progressing well.”
On how he and the staff handle things with Lamine, he added: “We do it. We talk to him and we do it normally. We’re both very honest. I’ll always protect him and support him. He’s a fantastic guy, very young. We’ll continue down this path.”
Talking about the injury blow to Pedri, which will keep him out for 6-7 weeks, the Barcelona coach remarked:
“The injury surprised us. After playing against Real Madrid, he only felt fatigued. Then the injury was discovered. We have to accept it. We’re missing one of our key players. He gives us stability and a lot of possession. We have to manage.”
On the number of injuries for Barcelona this season, which has become a concern within the club, the manager noted:
“Sometimes things are like that. We have to accept it. There’s still a long way to go until the end of the season.”
Flick also issued an update on goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s condition and spoke about whether Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo were ready to start after being cleared for the match.
“With Joan Garcia, we’re taking it day by day. He looks good, but we shouldn’t put pressure on him. We’ll see how much Lewandowski and Olmo can play tomorrow,” he said.
When asked if he felt that the players were underperforming this season, Flick noted: “When not everyone is available to play, it’s not easy to manage.
“It makes it harder for them to reach their best level. Now, with Olmo and Lewandowski, the other players will raise their level.”
Flick was also asked about Pau Cubarsi and how the teenage defender can take his game to the next level and fulfil his potential. In response, he said:
“He’s 18. That’s normal; it’s not the same as being 24 or 26 when you’re always at your peak. He’s playing at a very high level; 95% of the players are top-level.
“I’m very happy with him. Perhaps it’s not just him; others aren’t at their best either. We have to improve on that; that’s our job.”
Flick was not on the touchline for Barcelona’s loss to Real Madrid last week due to a one-match ban. On being asked about the experience of having to watch the game from the stands, he said:
“I don’t want to look back. I didn’t like it. I have to work hard so I can be on the bench for every game.”
The manager was also asked if he considered using Lamine in a more central role, to which he said:
“I think the best way for him to get back to his best right now is to return to where he performed best. In some situations, he can play from the centre. The most important thing for him is to touch the ball; that’s his strength.”
On the youngster’s comment regarding Real Madrid, which sparked a lot of controversy, Flick stated: “For me, Real Madrid is in the past; I don’t want to talk about it.”
Concluding, the Barcelona manager spoke about Inaki Pena, currently on loan at Elche from the Catalan club.
“Inaki is a great goalkeeper, but we have to play a good game. We have to win the three points; it won’t be easy,” he said.
FC B
Senior Member
I wish he'd share your optimism.
It's very hard to do so without money vs. some virtually limitless budget clubs.
RedxMAK
Well-known member
For me, it is very clear that Barcelona’s main core of players got very complacent and too self absorbed after the league wins in 2022-23 and 2024-25. Leading to the bad season which was 2023-24 and if it continues this way 2025-26. It is very clear to me that it is a mental issue than a physical or even technical issue. I see that after every league win they think they’re the best team in the world which leads them to not work hard the next season and then they feel doubted and win the league and cycle repeats.
We'll see if he can fix the glaring problems and return to the blistering football we saw last year. I think if it was up to him he will stay at least another season.
From club's pov it will only take a top coach to replace him at this point, like Lucho or Klopp (doubt either will leave current role in 2026). Even if Flick doesn't win anything big he might get another shot if there aren't any big managers available. Doubt club will opt for unproven mid-table coaches like Cesc or Iraola for example.
From club's pov it will only take a top coach to replace him at this point, like Lucho or Klopp (doubt either will leave current role in 2026). Even if Flick doesn't win anything big he might get another shot if there aren't any big managers available. Doubt club will opt for unproven mid-table coaches like Cesc or Iraola for example.
Play will go up when Raphinha and Lamine return to fitness and form.
Social media age got us all gold fish memories.
But I can't emphasize enough how in the golden years of Pep that we had a phrase known as Messidepencia and played like dogshite when Messi was either injuries or was in his putty Messi years before getting to full fitness.
Social media age got us all gold fish memories.
But I can't emphasize enough how in the golden years of Pep that we had a phrase known as Messidepencia and played like dogshite when Messi was either injuries or was in his putty Messi years before getting to full fitness.
ToranagaSama
Well-known member
Attack will be better once Raph returns and Yamal is fit, goes without saying, but I also had hopes that the defense could be fixed as well after players get accustomed to the system. That hope has gone, entire backline is midtable level and there is nothing one can do about it. I doubt "play deeper" is the solution either, this defense will get wrecked even more when the opponent is allowed more time on the ball.
Only hope right now is outscoring, outpressing and Garcia heroics.
Only hope right now is outscoring, outpressing and Garcia heroics.
Iniesta Ultra
Senior Member
We should go for Michel Sanchez if Lucho won't come.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
Defence will be better once the defenders find their form back, Kounde has been terrible so far this season, dont know if its fatigue because he looked tired yesterday
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
It depends also if the injured players are key players or bench players
Anyways, most playerd are back now, we need Lewy and Raphi fit and then Hansi will cook
Yes, sure and this also depends on coincidence but it's often written that everything is done wrong at Barca (training, preparation, etc.). The fact is, many clubs have these problems. One year it's Real Madrid (24/25) and another year it's Barca (25/26); it's simply a matter of luck. Only if this happens several years in a row do we need to worry. And as i said, we don’t have 20 strong players like man city, chelsea
Richard.H
Senior Member
This job is probably the most stressful coaching job in the entire sport. Lots of pressure to deliver results AND play a beautiful way. Remember that one match during Tata Martino's tenure where he won like 4-0 but there was still a ton of backlash from the players and the fans on how we parked the bus? That sort of pressure is nowhere else in the game.
He looks 10 years older from his Bayern/Germany coaching days in just one season here. For some reason, most coaches cannot handle all the stress in Barcelona. It's too much, even for the likes of Pep and Lucho.
He looks 10 years older from his Bayern/Germany coaching days in just one season here. For some reason, most coaches cannot handle all the stress in Barcelona. It's too much, even for the likes of Pep and Lucho.
jamrock
Senior Member
I think much like he stumbled on Garcia at RB last season due to injuries.
He will stumble on what most here have said we should try, which is Casado de Jong pivot & pedri at 10 in some games.
Instead of pedri staying in the pivot & de Jong at 10, which just doesn't help the team.
He will stumble on what most here have said we should try, which is Casado de Jong pivot & pedri at 10 in some games.
Instead of pedri staying in the pivot & de Jong at 10, which just doesn't help the team.
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