Flick breaks the silence: Casadó or De Jong? Discover his choice for Barça

The FC Barcelona will host Real Sociedad at Montjuïc this coming Sunday, March 2, in a crucial match to maintain the lead in LaLiga EA Sports for another week. In the lead-up to the match, Hansi Flick spoke to the media in a press conference and, in addition to confirming rotations for the clash against the Basque side, he addressed topics such as the Casadó-De Jong debate and the future of Szczesny.

The blaugranas will seek revenge against a 'txuri-urdin' team that already defeated them in the first half of the season. In this regard, the coach stated that Imanol Alguacil's team "is a great team, they know how to defend but also have very good players with the ball. I am very excited for tomorrow's match and we must know how to manage the rest of the situations. We have to look at things positively, we are better than in that match. The team has good qualities and we need to show them. We do not fear any opponent"

"We do not fear any opponent"

The German was asked if he finds it difficult for players to maintain focus on day-to-day tasks and not on finals or winning titles, and he stated that "for me, everything revolves around training; and that is working well. What I see is positive and I am looking forward to the match this Sunday. We know there is an intense schedule of matches, but we have to manage it. We need to take care of some players, manage them... The key is to have good players; and since we have them, and very good ones, I am happy".

After the 'last-minute' draw by Atlético de Madrid in the Copa del Rey, the defense of Barça became a topic of debate. The culé coach took a self-critical stance on this and stated that "you cannot always defend high, and in some situations we fail. It is evident what happened; and what needs to be done. We are a team and as a team, we always have to improve. That is what we need to do".

Additionally, he announced rotations in his starting eleven for the match against the Basques. "Yes, I think we will change things. As we have said, we need fresh players who are fit. It is a good day to do it, there will be changes. But I won't say which ones," he commented.

The tight schedule of Barça

Regarding the demands of the schedule in this final stretch of the season, Flick stated that "this season has seen many things happen and coaches have to get used to it. But this team always surprises. Sometimes we have had only one training session before a match and we have focused well on it. We cannot make excuses. Here, we do not pay as much attention to the schedule as in Germany or England".

"We are fighting for three titles and when we started this season, no one expected us to be at this level"

"The schedule is what it is; and it should not be easy to manage. Obviously, we have to manage these matches but I am not the one who will fix it. We are fighting for three titles and when we started this season, no one expected us to be at this level. The team is doing well," he added.

Regarding the month of March that awaits Barça, in which they will play the Champions League round of 16 and a key match against Atlético for LaLiga, the culé coach maintained that "I cannot insist more. Focus everything on the next match. We are well and we need to show it. We do not fear any opponent and we focus on ourselves".

Flick's 1x1: Szczesny, Casadó, De Jong, and Araujo

The coach, on the other hand, referred to certain individuals in his squad. Regarding the future of Szczesny at the club and the possibility of offering him another year of contract, the German limited himself to saying that "I do not offer anything to the players because that is Deco's job. I focus on the team I have right now. I am happy with Tek, but that is a question for Deco. That is what I can say".

The German broke the silence on the Casadó-De Jong debate, revealing the keys that lead him to lean towards one or the other. "I think Frenkie has improved a lot in recent months. I think Casadó, when you need more stability in defense, offers that. He is always focused on defense. With Frenkie, we can achieve more possession and calm in some situations," Hansi commented.

"Casadó is young and has room to improve, but this season he is doing well. And he can be very proud of what he is doing so far," he added.

Regarding the 'overbooking' in the center of defense and the present of Ronald Araujo, the azulgrana coach stated that "I am happy that he is back. Because what we need is to have four players in that position. We will still have to wait a bit to see Christensen. Araujo has had an injury, but he is a leader and I am happy with all the players who are in that position".

Finally, when asked what he would ask his squad as a gift for his 60th birthday, which took place on February 24, the German firmly stated that "I have no wishes. I am healthy, I have a great family. I work for a great club. I am happy".