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Barcelona can be aiming to finish their three-game winless streak in La Liga once they tackle RCD Mallorca away at Estadi Son Moix on Tuesday night.
The Blaugrana head into the sport on the again of a shock 1-2 loss to UD Las Palmas at dwelling, which has seen their lead on the high of the desk get lowered to only one level.
The defeat got here after Barcelona had misplaced to Actual Sociedad after which had been held to a draw by Celta Vigo, permitting Actual Madrid to shut the hole within the desk.
As such, Hansi Flick, who finds himself in a mini-crisis of types for the primary time since taking up at Barcelona, can be desperate to get issues again on observe.
On the staff’s present plight
Chatting with the media forward of tomorrow’s go to to Mallorca, the German tactician mentioned varied facets associated to Barça and the way they’ll finish their present poor run within the league.
Wanting ahead to what lies forward and the way the staff can enhance, Flick mentioned: “For me, the excellent news is that November is over and we’re in December. The staff has given quite a bit, within the center we have now had a variety of depth and dedication.
“We created possibilities. We haven’t completed and that’s one thing we have now to study to do higher. We’re the youngest staff. We should study and battle for the victory. On the again we have to not concede targets and for that we have now to defend as a unit.
“In assault, we additionally should be united. In opposition to Las Palmas, we did nicely, however we had been liable for the defeat. We have now to be able to face the sort of recreation and convert our possibilities.”
When requested to elaborate on why there was a sudden dip in type within the league, he replied:
“I’m not apprehensive. A whole lot of issues occurred within the recreation towards Las Palmas, I don’t need to go into particulars. It could look like I’m making excuses, however we misplaced. We have now to be concentrated in assault.
“We are able to have two or three possibilities however we have now to attain them. In soccer, it’s the targets that depend.”
On the one facet that he desires the staff to enhance upon as quickly as doable, Flick remarked:
“There’s all the time a cause why we concede targets. For me it’s one thing to do with the timing of defending, getting the strain proper. Typically it appears simple, but it surely’s not that simple.
“We did not press, we couldn’t shut down areas as a unit and assault the areas, that’s what we have now to enhance.”
Concerning the controversial referee resolution to not award Barcelona a penalty towards Las Palmas, the German mentioned: “I feel it’s as much as us. I don’t care an excessive amount of about what the referees do and make excuses.”
Workforce information
The Barcelona supervisor then confirmed that Dani Olmo can be prepared to begin towards Mallorca however Ronald Araujo won’t be accessible despite the fact that he educated with the group at present.
“All of the gamers besides Ronald, though he’s doing very nicely and could be very near taking part in. The sensations are superb and it is vitally necessary that he goes step-by-step. Olmo is again, to be a starter,” mentioned Flick.
Prepared to begin. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
Concerning the packed schedule and any plans for rotation, the German mentioned: “After the sport and at present I believed quite a bit about making modifications and resting the gamers. Everybody is prepared, they’re able to play and it’s a superb signal. It’s going to be powerful, however that’s soccer.”
Barça can be greeted by the return of Marc Casado towards Mallorca after the midfielder missed the weekend conflict resulting from suspension. Praising the teen, Flick mentioned:
“He has improved quite a bit because the begin of the season. He has performed his first worldwide match. He defends, reads the opposition’s recreation and is aware of the place to be always. He has an excellent studying of what to do with the ball as nicely.”
On Saturday, when Frenkie de Jong got here on from the bench, the Dutchman was not given the captain’s armband by Raphinha, who’s decrease than the midfielder within the pecking order.
However Flick performed down the incident, saying: “I haven’t observed it. It doesn’t should occur, it’s not for a selected cause. In Germany we didn’t move the armband. I don’t know why it didn’t occur.”
On the similar time, the German tactician additionally confirmed that he has no plans to interchange Inaki Pena with Wojciech Szczesny in aim at this level.
“He [Szczesny] has educated very nicely, however proper now I don’t plan to vary the goalkeeper. Inaki is the primary alternative goalkeeper,” mentioned the supervisor.
Concerning the drop within the variety of offside calls of their favour in comparison with the beginning of the season, the Barcelona head coach mentioned:
“Clearly, the rivals are doing an excellent job. They put together for the video games they play towards us.”
On Laporta and the staff’s preventing spirit
Barcelona president Joan Laporta was current on the membership’s Ciutat Esportiva complicated at present whereas the gamers ready for tomorrow’s match. Flick confirmed that he did have a dialogue with the membership chief, saying:
“Sure, I’ve spoken to him. I congratulated him on the a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary and we needed to provide him a gift, however we couldn’t do it the opposite day.
“Immediately I spoke in regards to the crucial battle. After I was a participant, I centered quite a bit on this angle. We have to create extra of a preventing mentality within the staff to win video games. Typically we do nicely, however there’s room to win.”
On being requested if he felt that the staff had misplaced a few of its preventing spirit, Flick responded by saying:
“I didn’t say this. We had lengthy possessions and plenty of possibilities, however ultimately it’s a battle to win the duels. After I see Cubarsí or Íñigo and the way nicely they defend. Pedri runs quite a bit in midfield. So do the others.
“I discussed them as a result of they’re at a really excessive stage. Raphinha too. I hope December can be a greater month. There’s a very lengthy solution to go, we need to win the league title and for that everybody has to battle.”
Supply: AS
