Hansi Flick talks Camp Nou, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Joan Garcia and Messi ahead of Barcelona vs Athletic Club

FC Barcelona are set to welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga. The sport will mark the Catalan membership’s return to their everlasting dwelling after two and a half seasons away on the stadium on Montjuïc.

Barcelona completed La Liga on a excessive be aware simply earlier than the worldwide break with a formidable 4–2 win over Celta Vigo, led by a Robert Lewandowski hat-trick. They are going to hope to construct on the momentum and take three factors towards Ernesto Valverde’s aspect.

Forward of the sport, Flick spoke on a number of matters within the pre-match press convention, as quoted by Sports activities World. When requested in regards to the return to the Camp Nou, he stated:

“All of us wish to return dwelling. The opponent is having an excellent season, and it’s an amazing alternative to measure the place we stand. Clearly we choose enjoying at Spotify Camp Nou. We noticed it in the course of the open coaching — it was an unbelievable feeling. It’s a soccer stadium, and that’s what we love. However we’ll see. I feel it may give us nice assist within the match as a result of the followers are shut, and so they know the workforce wants that assist. They at all times assist us, and it’s stunning to see that unity between the workforce and the followers.”

Flick then spoke about Lamine Yamal’s present bodily situation. He stated:

“He has labored very exhausting these two weeks — that’s all I can say. I can’t say he’s completed recovering; he has ups and downs. He’s managing it nicely and dealing with the workers.”

The German supervisor was then requested about Raphinha and Rashford, and he confirmed that the latter was a doubt for the sport. He continued:

“Marcus has a fever and was out yesterday and right this moment, and I doubt he’ll be accessible tomorrow. However the excellent news is that Raphinha will probably be again and we’ll see tomorrow what he may give us. Ten, fifteen minutes… we’ll see. Nevertheless it’s a giant step that he’s again.”

Flick was then requested about Lamine’s damage and the state of affairs with the RFEF in the course of the worldwide break. He stated:

“Lamine is our participant and we care about him simply because the federation does. It was a very good choice that he didn’t play the 2 matches as a result of it was an vital step for him to handle the damage correctly.”

The German supervisor was then requested in regards to the stress they may placed on Actual Madrid in the event that they win the early recreation on Saturday. He stated:

“We go match by match: that’s what we wish to do. We all know the highway is lengthy and, like final season, we must always by no means doubt what we wish to do and the way we wish to play. We all know Madrid are an amazing rival, however there are others like Villarreal or Atlético: implausible groups. That’s what it’s about. We now have to concentrate on ourselves and provides our most in each match.”

Flick additionally stored his playing cards near his chest on whether or not Pedri could be concerned towards Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He stated:

“I don’t know, step-by-step. We’re not placing stress on him, however he’s working nicely and his progress is nice. We’re glad and we hope he can return quickly. I don’t know if it’ll be towards Chelsea or not; we’ll see.”

The German supervisor, nevertheless, had no hesitation in revealing that Joan Garcia could be a starter towards Athletic Membership. He stated:

“A starter tomorrow? Sure, you’re right.”

Flick was then requested whether or not he would love the chance to educate Lionel Messi. He was witty together with his reply:

“Why not coach him? Messi is one of the best participant of the final ten years. I’ve at all times loved watching him play soccer and he could be good for any workforce. His contract ends in 2028 and mine in 2027, it’s not one thing to debate.”

The previous Bayern Munich supervisor was then quizzed in regards to the plan to switch Frenkie de Jong, who’s suspended towards Athletic Membership. He stated:

“We all know how we wish to change De Jong’s absence, you’ll see it tomorrow. Frenkie, identical to Pedri, are two nice gamers who give us a whole lot of confidence, however we now have to handle this absence and I feel we’ll do it nicely.”

Lastly, the media tried to get one thing out of Flick by asking him who would take the honorary kick-off. The German stored a poker face and stated:

“The honorary kick-off? I do not know.”

A return to the Spotify Camp Nou is a big event for the membership, its gamers and its followers, and allow us to hope Barcelona can emerge from the sport towards Athletic Bilbao with three factors to their title. Solely time will inform the way it performs out.