Barcelona closed down the hole on the prime of the league desk following a complete 4-1 win over Sevilla final evening.
It was yet one more sturdy attacking efficiency from the Blaugrana, with Fermin Lopez, Robert Lewandowski, Eric Garcia and Raphinha discovering the again of the web.
Chatting with the media after the sport, Hansi Flick talked about Barcelona’s efficiency on the evening in addition to a number of different key elements.
Hansi Flick’s post-match statements after Sevilla win
“I’m very pleased with the staff’s efficiency. We performed an excellent first half and within the second half we fought arduous to win these three factors,” Flick mentioned after the sport.
This was Barcelona’s third consecutive win in La Liga, which is able to come as a sigh of aid for Flick and his staff.
“I’m pleased with the best way we performed. The best way we defended with a 4-4-1 was an excellent lesson for us, as a result of it’s not the best way we need to play, however the staff did it very effectively. We scored the fourth objective from a set piece, so issues went in the appropriate route,” he added.
It should be famous that Barcelona needed to play with 4 males for the final half-hour attributable to Fermin Lopez’s crimson card across the hour mark.
Speaking about Barcelona’s efficiency within the final half hour of the sport, Flick mentioned, “It was a distinct model of play than traditional, however the gamers performed very effectively.
“We defended very effectively, particularly on the wings the place they’ve excellent gamers and we had been capable of take care of that effectively. I’m very pleased with the efficiency.”
The German coach went on to deal with Ronald Araujo’s harm, stating, “We’ve to attend till tomorrow, once we will do the required checks. We hope it’s not a critical harm.”
Flick was requested about Fermin Lopez’s efficiency on the evening, because the Spaniard did rating earlier than being despatched off.
“In fact, I spoke to him. It’s regular, that you just rating an essential objective after which get despatched off immediately. We had been urgent very arduous, our tempo was very excessive and these items occur.
Fermin Lopez scored an essential objective in opposition to Sevilla (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures)
“However his objective was essential for us. In the long run, it was an excellent expertise for us to play with a 4-4-1 and defend like that and I feel we did it very effectively,” he mentioned.
The introduction of Fermin was one in every of many tactical modifications Flick applied at half-time, as Barcelona did lack artistic firepower within the first 45 minutes.
Speaking concerning the modifications applied, Flick mentioned, “We at all times make small changes, they’re simply small modifications, and the staff tailored very effectively at the moment.
“In fact, Fermin’s second objective was essential for us, it gave us confidence and perception in what we need to obtain. And Rafinha’s third objective was additionally essential.”
The Barcelona coach was then requested about not solely Fermin but in addition Gavi, as these two gamers have an identical model of play and supply the identical degree of aggression.
Speaking about their potential, Flick mentioned, “They’ve the potential to do it, however I’m pleased with them. I’m pleased with the depth they play with, and what occurred at the moment can occur.
“I feel the pitch was moist, he slipped on the opponent, and usually that’s not intentional, nevertheless it occurred, and we now have to simply accept that. In the long run, I can see that the staff has improved so much in that facet, and it’s nice for me to see that.”
As for Pedri’s efficiency, the German added, “Superb. He helps us so much along with his physique to take care of conditions and get out of the strain of the opponent. He’s doing nice, and I’m very joyful that he was capable of play the entire recreation.“
The Barcelona additionally went on to debate the way forward for Ansu Fati, who has reportedly rejected a last-minute transfer to Turkey regardless of sturdy curiosity from the likes of Besiktas and Fenerbahce.
“I spoke to him fairly frankly. It’s not that you just communicate to the coach after which the whole lot modifications the subsequent day. No. However what I can say is that he’s heading in the right direction. He’s doing an excellent job, he’s very near the staff.
Raphinha magic at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures)
“That’s the essential factor as a result of I’ve seen plenty of moments the place he’s at his greatest. And that’s a degree we’re making an attempt to achieve once more. It’s arduous work for us and for him as effectively, however he’s doing an excellent job and he’s very near the staff,” he mentioned.
Lastly, Hansi Flick addressed the elephant within the room – the state of the title race following Barcelona’s win and Actual Madrid’s current draw with Atletico Madrid.
First up, Flick was requested about Diego Simeone’s assertion, the place the Atletico Madrid coach hailed Barcelona because the best-performing staff within the league.
“I feel there are 4 or 5 groups within the league which might be doing effectively. We’re one in every of them, we now have our personal model of play, and we concentrate on that and never on different issues,” he replied.
Speaking concerning the alternative to realize extra floor within the race for the league title, Flick did admit that Barcelona nonetheless have an extended option to go.
“At present I’m joyful as a result of we bought three factors in Sevilla. That was essential for us. However in the long run, there’s nonetheless an extended option to go, so much can occur. We need to preserve this rhythm.
“After we received at the moment and bought three factors, I made a decision to offer the staff three days off to get better. I feel they deserve it. The essential factor is to not do silly issues, to care for their our bodies and their restoration. Then, on Thursday, we begin making ready for the subsequent recreation,” he concluded.
Supply: Barça One