Barcelona made up misplaced floor within the race for the league title, securing a slim 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves.
Robert Lewandowski’s second-half aim was the one differentiator in a sport the place Barcelona had some difficulties breaking down a well-organised Alaves defence.
Issues did ultimately get higher within the second half, which is one thing that was highlighted by Hansi Flick himself, within the post-match press convention.
What Hansi Flick stated after win vs Alaves
Speaking concerning the win, Flick stated, “It was a troublesome sport and required numerous effort. It was crucial to get the three factors contemplating Actual Madrid’s consequence yesterday.
“We made it clear to the gamers which area to assault and labored to seek out the most effective positions to attain. The second half was significantly better. I’m very proud of the workforce. They tried to attain objectives, but it surely was not straightforward as a result of they defended very nicely.”
Highlighting the variations between the 2 halves, Flick admitted that Alaves defended very nicely.
“They defended very nicely. Within the first half, we didn’t play the way in which we wished to, however within the second half, we performed significantly better. It was crucial to get this win and get the three factors. That was our aim,” he stated.
Barcelona had been certainly the higher workforce within the second half, maybe due to Hansi Flick, who may need given the workforce fairly the enhance on the break.
Speaking about modifications made within the second half, Flick stated, “At half-time, we stated: OK, we want higher positioning, we have to cross a lot quicker and significantly better.
“We targeted on positioning, speaking about how one can play with brief distances between gamers, and so they did that very nicely. Additionally, Ronald had a yellow card, so we had to pay attention to that as nicely. It was a tough sport, however we fought for these three factors.”
Flick’s second-half motivation performed a key function in Barcelona’s win (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
“Frenkie additionally got here on as a result of with the ball he has numerous confidence, and that helps us lots,” he added.
Flick went on to deal with de Jong’s present standing at Barcelona, admitting that the Dutchman has been having fun with a return of confidence in latest matches.
“That is Frenkie, him higher than me. I do know he’s been right here a very long time, he had a very dangerous damage, however he’s again and now he has confidence in his ankle, which is essential.
“I believe his stage on the ball is excellent, that helps us lots. In defence, he has finished significantly better than earlier than, that’s what we’re engaged on as a result of we want him. We additionally want him in defence, and he’s enhancing lots for the time being,” he stated.
As talked about earlier, a key differentiator on this sport was Lewandowski, who scored the all-important winner for Barcelona and additional prolonged his scoring tally.
Lewandowski is now near beating his first season’s tally, even with a piece of the season nonetheless remaining.
Speaking about Lewandowski, Flick stated, “That is Lewy’s function, , he’s the most effective. I at all times say this: he’s the most effective participant, the most effective quantity 9 contained in the field. It was crucial that he scored. On this tough match, it will be significant for him to be current.“
Flick additionally hailed Lamine Yamal, who raised eyebrows along with his well-known dribble previous the Alaves defence that reminded numerous Barcelona followers of Lionel Messi.
“I’m not a fan of speaking about it, Lamine is a genius. What he did immediately in some moments was unbelievable. I’m very completely happy that he performs for Barcelona, it’s superb. At 17 years previous, he’s doing superb,” Flick stated when requested about comparisons with Messi.
Lamine Yamal produced a stellar show within the assault. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
“In each sport he’s good. The opponents usually are not straightforward in any respect, they’re sturdy, they defend nicely, and so they attempt to put strain on him, however regardless of that, he’s doing a fantastic job. He’s doing nicely, and I like that. It’s nice to have Lamine with us,” he added.
Flick talked concerning the health of Gavi as nicely, after the younger midfielder was concerned in a brutal collision with Tomas Conechny.
The Barcelona supervisor confirmed that Gavi is match, although he refused to confess whether or not or not the midfielder will likely be returning to motion as quickly as potential.
“I believe on this case it’s not Gavi’s determination, it’s not my determination, it’s the physician’s determination. And when he says, ‘No, no, we’ve to watch out, he has to get out, we’ve to maintain him,’ that’s what we did.
“What I can say now could be that he’s on his method residence and all the things is ok. Nothing occurred, and that’s the excellent news. I do know Gavi at all times needs to play, however on this case, sure, we’ve to maintain him,” he stated about Gavi’s return.
As for his health, the coach stated, “I simply spoke to him. It was a really sturdy blow and he wished to proceed enjoying, that’s what he informed me. He’s in hospital, Gavi and Conechny are advantageous. It was a shock, however Barça followers can relaxation assured.“
Reviews recommend Gavi is certainly match and has returned residence. It additionally provides that the midfielder could possibly be accessible in Barcelona’s subsequent sport towards Valencia this midweek.
As for Flick, he was requested about Actual Madrid’s latest defeat to Espanyol and what it means for Barcelona within the title race.
“I believe for us the state of affairs is healthier now than earlier than. It was essential to win immediately, and the workforce did nicely as a result of the strain on them was not low, it was very excessive. And we did an excellent job,” he stated about Barça’s present standing.
Speaking about Actual Madrid’s defeat to Espanyol, Flick revealed that he hadn’t watched the match and was as a substitute sleeping.
“Sleeping. I used to be sleeping and you’ll ask my spouse,” he stated when requested whether or not or not he watched the Actual Madrid sport.
“Actually, I didn’t watch that yesterday. I actually didn’t. As a result of the previous couple of days have been very annoying. I believe the most effective factor to cope with stress is to go to mattress early, and that’s what I did.
“I slept nicely, which is vital as a result of after the sport towards Atlanta, I solely received two or three hours of sleep, however final night time I slept significantly better, and I awakened this morning feeling nice,” he added.
Lastly, Flick supplied his ideas on Actual Madrid’s upcoming sport towards cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid, the end result of which could possibly be extraordinarily consequential to Barcelona’s place within the title race.
“Atletico and Actual are two nice groups. I believe it’s good now to focus in your workforce. We’ve got to do our job, we’re a couple of factors behind, so we’ve to win, we’ve to win, we’ve to place strain on them, that’s the vital factor,” he concluded.
Supply: Barça One