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FC Barcelona will likely be aiming to take a step in the direction of securing their second trophy of the season after they tackle Valencia within the Copa del Rey quarterfinals tomorrow at Mestalla.
The Spanish Tremendous Cup winners confronted Los Che in La Liga two weeks in the past and completely mauled them, securing a 7-1 victory.
With that triumph nonetheless recent of their minds, Barcelona will go into tomorrow’s conflict at Mestalla in a assured temper.
On the eve of the match, supervisor Hansi Flick addressed the media, offering key updates relating to the health of Dani Olmo and Gavi, amongst different issues.
On the Valencia conflict
Beginning off with what they will count on from the sport in opposition to Valencia after the 7-1 win final month, Flick famous:
“It’s a very totally different recreation, we’re going to present all the things, we’re going to attempt to press they usually’re going to do the identical. All the pieces will likely be totally different, the environment and the environment.”
Discussing Barcelona’s away kind at Mestalla in opposition to Valencia, Flick additional added: “I keep in mind the league recreation in Valencia, the primary of the season. It was onerous work and we got here again. The environment was unbelievable they usually put us underneath good strain.
“It wasn’t simple to win and it will likely be the identical tomorrow. It’s a cup recreation. Tomorrow we are able to’t win the title, however we are able to lose it.”
On the squad
Dani Olmo is again. (Picture by Lars Baron/Getty Photos)
The Barcelona supervisor then confirmed that Olmo will return from his damage tomorrow however Gavi is out following the pinnacle damage he suffered on the weekend.
“Relating to Dani we’ll see, he’s an possibility within the second half. Relating to Gavi, the protocol is as it’s. He gained’t be obtainable for tomorrow. We have now to take care of him, the blow he bought was very onerous for him,” mentioned the German.
Speaking intimately about Olmo and his damage issues to date, Flick added: “Dani has proven in lots of video games how vital he’s for us. He scores objectives, he is aware of tips on how to hold the ball. It’s vital to have gamers like him within the group, however now we have to take care of him.
“He’s been injured rather a lot, however we additionally must make him play. We have now to watch out, now we have to understand how he feels so we are able to adapt. He’s crucial for us.”
The Barça boss was then requested in regards to the current type of Frenkie de Jong and whether or not it might imply fewer taking part in minutes for Marc Casado. In response, he mentioned:
“You all the time examine gamers by place, however that’s not the best way it goes. We have now a recreation tomorrow and one other one on Sunday. We’ll arrive within the early hours of the morning and I would like all of the gamers.
“I’m completely happy to have choices. Frenkie is a good participant, but additionally Casado. It doesn’t matter who I select, the vital factor is the group.”
On being requested if he plans to make any rotations tomorrow, Flick replied: “It’s regular that we take into consideration rotations. We play at 9.30 pm and we gained’t be capable to journey again from Valencia, which suggests we’ll be late.
“Then now we have a recreation in Seville and now we have to consider the gamers. There could also be rotations.”
Flick additionally confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will begin in purpose tomorrow forward of Inaki Pena, regardless of it being a cup recreation, saying: “Szczesny is primary. It’s clear.”
Explaining his resolution to again Szczesny over Pena, he added: “I perceive that you simply examine two gamers. Inaki is a unbelievable goalkeeper, however we selected Tek due to his persona and his fashion. He’s doing nicely.
“They’re each nice goalkeepers. The choice is the one now we have made and now we have to keep it up. We all the time resolve for the nice of the group and that’s how I wish to do it.”
Relating to the No. 10 place within the group and what he expects of gamers who’re utilized in that position, Flick remarked:
“If you see Gavi or Pedri they’ve performed nicely. They’ve attacked and pressed excessive, but additionally with the ball they’ve understood the place nicely. They’re additionally good in entrance of purpose. Fermin did very nicely in opposition to Valencia.”
Szczesny will proceed over Pena in purpose. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photos)
On Actual Madrid and different matters
Flick then aimed a dig at Actual Madrid over their formal grievance about refereeing after shedding to Espanyol, saying that it was not Barça’s fashion.
“If I’m trustworthy, I don’t wish to speak about it. They’ve performed so, however that’s not our fashion. We don’t make excuses. Each membership has its personal means,” mentioned Flick.
“We’re human and we make errors. The referees have a sophisticated job and now we have to handle it. It’s not simple for them.”
On being additional probed in regards to the assertion from Actual Madrid, the Barcelona supervisor added:
“I feel I’ve mentioned all of it. After I arrived I mentioned I didn’t need excuses or complaints. We have now to win our video games and we all know that now we have let a number of factors slip away. That’s our fault. We have now to see what we are able to do.
“On Sunday now we have one other vital recreation, however the very first thing is to win in Valencia.”
Flick will likely be celebrating his sixtieth birthday this month and touched upon how it will likely be a particular one for him, doing in order the supervisor of Barcelona.
“In my life, I typically take into consideration conditions I want to dwell and lots of desires have come true. Teaching Barça was a dream. For me it’s unbelievable to be right here on my sixtieth birthday,” mentioned Flick.
“I like Barcelona, town, the meals and the solar, however I additionally love this membership. Working and coaching with this group is unbelievable, I’ve distinctive gamers. I’ve by no means had that earlier than. It’s nice to see this and I actually respect it. It’s a dream come true.”
Supply: Mundo Deportivo
