Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has weighed in on Real Madrid’s surprising defeat to Real Betis on Friday, calling it a cautionary tale as his side prepares for their upcoming La Liga clash against Valencia.
Flick's Warning from Real Madrid's Loss
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s match with Valencia, Flick acknowledged the unpredictability of football, referencing Real Madrid’s recent setback. “When you watch last night’s game, you see that Real Madrid played well and had big chances, but that’s football,” he said. “We have to focus on ourselves and our style. I am sure that tomorrow’s match will be difficult for us.”
Captaincy Choices at Barcelona
Flick also explained his approach to selecting the team’s captains, revealing a blend of his personal picks and player-elected choices. “It was important to have two captains of my choosing, and three others chosen by the dressing room,” he stated. “I chose Raphinha and Pedri, while the others were De Jong, Lamine, and Eric.”
When asked about the criteria behind his selections, the Barcelona boss elaborated: “Araujo and Ter Stegen have left, Lamine and Eric came in, and Frenkie’s continuity is natural. I didn’t want to decide all five captains, but I wanted to name those two. I think we have a good group of players with leadership qualities, and I see it as a good path, but there will be moments when we have to talk.”
Squad Quality Compared to Last Season
Flick was also quizzed on how the current squad’s quality stacks up against the previous season. He responded, “What I see in training, as I said, pleases me, and it’s good; how we press, pass, and compete, every rondo is at the highest level. But in the end, what matters is winning matches and titles. In any case, the quality of the squad is excellent.”
Aiming for a Perfect Record Before the International Break
Regarding the possibility of achieving a perfect record before the first international break of the season, Flick emphasized the team’s determination. “We will work on that. We have the quality and the spirit, there is a good working atmosphere, and everyone is fully focused and enjoying our path in this direction,” he said.
Record Spending and Club Decisions
Finally, Flick addressed the club’s record-breaking expenditure on transfers this summer. “We made the decisions together, and I am happy about that. It’s not easy for me because there are players from La Masia with high quality, and we decided that perhaps something extra was needed. We have big goals this season, things look good, and we are 100% convinced we can achieve them,” he explained.
