Hansi Flick talks Pedri, Yamal, Gavi and more ahead of Barcelona vs Levante

After struggling back-to-back defeats, Barcelona can be decided to get again on the successful observe as they tackle Levante on Sunday.

Heading into this essential conflict, Hansi Flick talked about Barcelona’s current struggles whereas providing his ideas on the health ranges of Pedri and Gavi, amongst different issues.

What Flick mentioned forward of Barcelona vs Levante

First issues first, Flick was requested to touch upon Barcelona’s current type, with the Catalans notably dropping to Atletico Madrid and Girona.

“I’m extraordinarily centered. The present state of affairs and the 2 days of relaxation we obtained have helped us take into consideration quite a lot of issues. For me, it is a enormous alternative to see how far the workforce can go. We all know that once we play with confidence, issues go higher,” he mentioned.

The coach added that he’s assured of Barcelona’s probabilities in opposition to Levante, although he admitted it received’t be a simple sport for the Blaugrana.

“Now we’ve a match on our dwelling floor in entrance of our followers, and we’ve to battle to win all three factors. It’s essential to attain objectives for extra confidence, however we’ve to work even tougher.

“I believe tomorrow’s match received’t be straightforward, as a result of the opponent performs deep in the midst of their half and appears for some counterattacks. However we’re taking part in at dwelling with our followers—I believe we’ll be in a very good place,” he mentioned.

Flick was then requested concerning the issues that Barcelona have encountered that has led to their poor type in current matches. The German, in response, gave a really pointed response.

“It’s not straightforward, as a result of there are quite a lot of factors. Once you watch the matches, you see issues on the stage of dropping the ball and constructing play, and dealing with the ball within the closing third of the pitch,” he mentioned.

The German known as for higher defensive preparedness from the workforce, particularly when going through an opponent that operates with a deep defensive backline.

“After we play in opposition to a workforce that performs with a deep defence, we lose the ball there, which provides the opponents extensive areas for counterattacks.

“We must be defensively ready, and if we lose the ball after which aren’t in the precise place, it opens up areas for the opponents as effectively,” he added.

Flick supplied a extra technical view of how Barcelona can enhance by bettering small particulars.

“These are maybe 3 factors off the highest of my head, however we’ve quite a bit to work on to play as one workforce; we must be related, and to press instantly after dropping the ball. And that’s one thing we’ve been lacking within the current matches, too.

“That’s what we have to do: increase the depth in our philosophy. These 4, 5, or 6 factors would possibly enable you to,” he added.

The Barcelona coach was then requested whether or not the gamers already know what must be achieved to show across the workforce’s dynamic and alter the state of affairs.

“That’s the coaches’ job, to persuade them of that. And I believe that we—as I see it from the gamers—they’re satisfied, the way in which we performed final season and this season too, led us to win 4 out of 5 titles.

“I believe the way in which I discuss to the gamers, they perceive they’re 100% satisfied. We’ve now returned to our regular life, the place we lose some matches. One thing like that isn’t good in a membership like Barcelona, however we’ve to simply accept it, and do issues higher,” he replied.

Hansi Flick additionally revealed a few of the predominant discussions within the dressing room that the workforce is having, particularly within the wake of current outcomes.

“As I mentioned, I imagine everyone seems to be liable for what we do. Issues should not straightforward, however communication is extraordinarily essential. We’ve got been very frank and really open. That doesn’t imply that I’m the one one telling them what must be achieved,” he mentioned.

“I additionally ask them, and that’s pure—that is my method of managing issues. We want leaders on the pitch, and it was essential for them to talk up as effectively, and that’s pure.

“Ultimately, I’m the one who has to determine on sure issues, however I additionally need the gamers to take possession of the state of affairs, and I imagine they’re doing that,” he added.

On that notice, Flick was additionally requested concerning the motive why the workforce was an hour late in coaching at this time.

“We’ve acquired quite a lot of alternatives from opponents within the current matches, and we’ve talked about that quite a bit, and what we have to do.

“There was an open dialog, and I needed to be clear ultimately; it’s essential that we speak about it, and the way we will handle issues. Ultimately, our model is evident, and that’s why our discuss took longer than common,” he revealed.

The Barcelona coach then went on to reply a query surrounding his earlier feedback which hinted that the workforce may be too younger. He was requested if Barcelona lack a real chief on the pitch.

“Typically we lack management on the sector, however that is one thing we’re concerned with serving to them with to mature extra, and it is a massive alternative to return.

“I’m 100% satisfied of my workforce, and searching ahead to the upcoming matches; we’ve put the final two video games behind us, and we’re trying forward.

“I noticed optimistic issues in coaching at this time, plus Rashford is again, and Pedri too. And we will see Gavi as effectively, how he’s coaching—it is a massive step for him. These are optimistic issues,” he added.

Talking of coaching, Gavi is again in coaching, though Hansi Flick performed down all of the hype of the Spaniard quickly returning to the pitch.

“We’ll take issues step-by-step. He’s at all times current at focus coaching, and he’s additionally making the precise selections in all coaching classes.

We are able to see that he’s a participant who enjoys taking part in soccer, not simply due to his mentality, but in addition due to his high quality on the pitch.

“I hope he returns rapidly, however as I mentioned, we’ll take issues step-by-step. We’ve got the health coaches who’re doing an ideal job with him, they usually’ll assist him get again to his stage,” he mentioned.

The Barcelona coach additionally supplied his ideas on Pedri, revealing that the Spanish worldwide will be capable to play a couple of minutes in opposition to Levante.

“Pedri can play a couple of minutes, however the optimistic factor is his return, contemplating his high quality and significance to us on the sector. He’s a distinct chief because of his high quality, and I believe he might be one of many workforce’s leaders sooner or later,” he mentioned.

One other factor that can be on Barcelona’s thoughts this month is Ramadan, with Lamine Yamal among the many gamers anticipated to quick in the course of the holy month.

When requested about how Barcelona plan to deal with the state of affairs, Flick revealed the membership have a plan in place.

“We’ve got a transparent plan with them; they’ve a program for what we may help them with, and in addition what they need to do, how they need to eat, and the way they need to relaxation. What I do know is that Lamine is the one one from the workforce who’s fasting,” he mentioned.

Flick additionally talked concerning the ongoing Barcelona elections and whether or not or not it is going to influence the workforce’s efficiency.

“No, so far as I’m involved, they selected this timing, and that’s not my doing. I believe the elections received’t have an effect on the workforce, as we’re centered on our work,” he mentioned.

The German tactician was requested about penalties as effectively, provided that Barcelona have missed a number of lately.

“3 missed penalties is an enormous quantity for a workforce of our high quality, however this occurred. Normally, it’s clear to us that the participant who has one of the best feeling ought to take the penalty. We haven’t talked about this with the gamers, however we did with the teaching employees,” he mentioned.

Lastly, Flick is somewhat enthusiastic about Barcelona having the chance to play at dwelling in opposition to Levante, as it could assist them significantly.

“After two defeats, and a stage that wasn’t one of the best for us within the final two matches, it was good to get a break interval. The gamers now look extra refreshed, and that’s essential.

“Now we’re taking part in on our dwelling floor, and we should win the three factors to regain our confidence. It’s essential that we regain it, so it’s pure that some doubts come up after a loss and never taking part in at a very good stage,” he mentioned.

“I believe we spoke frankly and have been open two days in the past, and at this time as effectively, and maybe that is the important thing to the subsequent match.

“We have to play with our philosophy as one workforce, and it’s essential for us to be related and positioned accurately, and to have the starvation to win—that is what we wish from the workforce. Everybody is targeted on what must be achieved, and we should proceed,” he concluded.

Supply: Diario SPORT