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Barcelona reclaimed their spot on the prime of the league desk following a slim 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.
It was a hard-fought sport for the Catalans – one thing coach Hansi Flick alluded to within the post-match presser – with Robert Lewandowski’s first half penalty being the one differentiator between the 2 sides.
What Flick stated after Rayo win
Flick acknowledged the standard of Rayo a number of occasions through the presser. He began by stating,
“The match lasted greater than 90 minutes and was very troublesome towards a robust opponent. It was an enormous problem for the gamers, however we’re very pleased with the win.”
Hansi Flick was pleased with the win. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
“It was a troublesome sport as a result of the opponent performed very nicely. That’s what I can say, and naturally, we’ve got to speak about these items. We’ll analyse every thing after which see what we are able to enhance. That’s what occurred,” he added.
Flick was even requested whether or not or not Rayo Vallecano are essentially the most formidable group Barcelona have met at Montjuic this season.
“They play nicely and I can say it once more, it’s nice to see how they press and also you see that they’ve an thought and everybody is targeted on that.
“With the ball, they’ve a great build-up they usually do it very well, you might say they have been probably the greatest groups right here.
“Rayo have been on a nine-game unbeaten run, so getting the win as we speak is an enormous success for us. Being on the prime of the desk is essential for the group and for the followers, so it’s very constructive. We’re on the prime now and we’re very completely satisfied,” he stated.
Ideas on Pedri and Frenkie de Jong
Hansi Flick praised Pedri. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
Speaking concerning the ambiance within the dressing room after the hard-fought win over Rayo, Flick added, “The gamers are completely satisfied. We performed nicely however we are able to do higher.”
One of many star performers in Barcelona’s slim win was Pedri, who acted because the conduit between the defence and the assault.
Pedri additionally confirmed nice need and health, ultimately ending the sport as some of the influential gamers on the pitch.
When requested about Pedri’s bodily turnaround, Flick stated, “Bodily, I don’t try this work. That’s the health division, Julio Tos and his group, they usually do an incredible job. It’s not simply the health coaches, the therapists do an incredible job too.
“Deco did a great job firstly of the season, we deliberate to usher in new consultants to assist us attain that stage. And you may see the consequence, not simply with Pedri, however Pedri specifically did an incredible job. He’s an distinctive participant.”
In midfield, Pedri was partnered by Frenkie de Jong as a substitute of Marc Casado, who had been a daily till lately.
When requested about whether or not or not de Jong is now a daily for Barcelona, Flick stated, “I’m very pleased with the extent the group is displaying, as a result of we’ve got nice gamers in each place, and typically it is extremely straightforward to vary a participant, as we noticed as we speak.
“When Casado got here on, or after we changed Eric with Cubarsi, that’s what we wish. I additionally advised the group that it is extremely essential at this stage, but additionally on this interval now, as we strategy the tip of the season or not less than subsequent month.”
Casado’s absence
Marc Casado as soon as once more didn’t make it to the beginning XI. (Photograph by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Pictures)
Talking about Casado and his absence from the beginning eleven, Flick ensured that the younger midfielder hasn’t achieved something fallacious and remains to be a extremely valued participant within the group.
“I’m speaking to Casa. As a result of proper now that’s the state of affairs. Frenkie is taking part in very nicely. He has good type and in addition provides us good moments in possession. That’s what we’d like. After all,
“Frenkie is at present the starter, however Casa can also be performing nicely. It’s not that this one performs as a result of the opposite one will not be good, no. We’re one group and everybody has their job. And after they play, they should play nicely. And that’s regular,” he stated.
Flick’s tackle Szczesny and Inigo Martinez
Wojciech Szczesny, stored one other clear sheet. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
Other than Pedri, Casado and de Jong, Flick additionally talked about Wojciech Szczesny, who was capable of retain one other clear sheet after beginning forward of Inaki Pena in purpose.
“Right now was the best choice, however in the long run Inaki additionally did a great job earlier than, he’s a very nice goalkeeper. For the time being, Wojciech is the primary goalkeeper, and as we speak he saved us three factors, and that’s the most essential factor,” he stated.
Flick went on to level out the significance of preserving a clear sheet and particularly praised Inigo Martinez’s work in defence.
“Within the first half of the season, after we have been struggling a bit, I feel we improved loads in that facet of the sport, and we’ve got to proceed to defend strongly. For me, Iñigo was additionally crucial as we speak in defence, contributing to the clear sheet,” he stated.
Talking of Inigo, Flick additionally reacted to Inigo successful the penalty and the response of the Rayo gamers afterwards.
“I didn’t see the shot clearly, however we’ve got VAR and I belief it, so I’ve no additional touch upon the matter,” the German stated.
Kounde’s absence
Jules Kounde was absent from the beginning XI. (Photograph by Angel Martinez/Getty Pictures)
One other essential facet of the sport noticed Jules Kounde lacking from the beginning eleven, supposedly as a result of the Frenchman was late in coaching.
Flick was coy when requested about Kounde’s absence, however identified the significance of self-discipline amongst footballers.
“There may be nothing extra so as to add on this topic,” he stated. “On match day all gamers know what to do. It’s crucial that they’re on time. I don’t assume it’s too troublesome. It’s not only for me, however for the gamers, for the membership and the followers.”
The Barcelona coach additionally talked about Robert Lewandowski’s penalty and the way the Pole seemed dissatisfied after being subbed off.
“I feel for him it’s all the time about his need to attain targets and win, however in the long run, it’s my choice. I determine what’s finest for the group, not for the people.
“So it’s lower than him. I all the time help him, I all the time give him the possibility to begin video games, and I’m completely satisfied along with his efficiency as we speak as a result of he scored a vital purpose,” the coach stated.
Lamine Yamal’s drought
Lamine Yamal has not scored in La Liga since October 2024. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)
Whereas Lewandowski scored, one participant who was not capable of finding the again of the online was Lamine Yamal, whose final purpose got here on the Bernabeu towards Actual Madrid.
Flick, although, will not be too nervous about Yamal’s scoring rut. “The very best factor is to attempt to rating in coaching, and he does that. So at some point the targets will come, and possibly he’ll rating quite a lot of them. He’s scored quite a lot of targets, he loves to attain,” he stated.
“You need to prepare, it’s a must to work onerous at it. And in the long run, it’s a must to present it within the sport. However he does nicely.
“He all the time tries to assault, create probabilities and in addition end assaults. He’s unfortunate proper now however he will likely be again,” he added.
Lastly, the Barcelona coach talked concerning the group returning to the highest spot within the La Liga desk and the way it impacts their mentality.
“We’re in a great place now, which is sweet for the membership, and I feel it additionally boosts the boldness of the gamers.
“And naturally, it can be crucial for the followers and the entire membership. It’s a massive factor, however it’s not the tip. We nonetheless have a really lengthy technique to go.
“I feel it’s not good to all the time concentrate on the desk as a result of that’s not the best strategy. Now I’m actually completely satisfied for the followers, for the membership, as a result of they deserve it at this second.
“We all the time say we are going to combat till the tip, and nothing has modified. We additionally should combat till the tip, and that’s the way in which we need to go. Sport by sport, and that’s how we need to end the season,” he concluded.
Supply: AS
