FC Barcelona will look to extend their winning streak this Sunday against Real Sociedad at Anoeta. Before the match, Hansi Flick spoke to the media at a press conference and gave his thoughts on the visit to San Sebastian. For the German, this match "is just another match with three points at stake" although "it won't be easy, we'll have to work hard."
The Barcelona coach showed his ambition by assuring that his team will seek their seventh consecutive win, despite the fact that it won't be an easy task when facing a tough team like the San Sebastian side. "We want to win every match. We've had six in a row and now it's time for Real Sociedad, who are a team I really like. They're a technical and intelligent team. It will be a good match," he commented.
He also didn't underestimate the 'txuri-urdin', who have only won one of their last four matches, and he was cautious about the match on November 10. "Every game is different. We'll start 0-0. Against Real it's always another special game and the crowd will support their team. It's important to have confidence. We must have possession of the ball and follow our idea and press the opponent," he said.
Will Lamine Yamal be available at the Reale Arena?
Speaking of names, Flick confessed that Pau Cubarsí, who did the training session with a mask due to his serious facial injury, will be present in the clash against Real, although he left the participation of Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo, who trained on the sidelines, in the game this Sunday up in the air.
"Pau, I think he will be there, he trained the whole session. Lamine Yamal has done specific training and we will see how he is tomorrow. He has played a lot of minutes, we have to look after him. Dani has not had a good time tonight and we will see how the medicines work. He could be ready for tomorrow"
Likewise, the German ruled out giving Robert Lewandowski a rest, stating that "I don't think it's necessary. He's in great shape. What impresses me about him is his performance. At the moment I'm not thinking of giving him a rest," and then revealed that Frenkie de Jong is ready to complete the 90 minutes. "Yes, we tried. We have tried and we will continue trying," he said.
On the other hand, Flick opened the door to the renewal of Iñigo Martínez by assuring that "his performance is very great. He's a leader. It's a young team and it's important to have people like him. If he continues like this, beyond the contract he has, he will obviously be renewed. What he has done in the last few games is impressive."
The importance of punctuality and high expectations of the team
On the importance of punctuality in his squad, Flick made it clear that "the rule is punctuality. I will not explain anything that has happened in the team. If you arrive five minutes late you do not respect those who are waiting for you. It is a lack of respect, nothing more."
The German, on the other hand, revealed the aspects that have left him most satisfied in his team. "There are many things that I am satisfied with. When we watch the games, for example the last one in Belgrade, we see what we ask of the players, that they finish together. Against Espanyol we did not finish as a team. In Belgrade we did, and I value that a lot. We work as a team so that they play and defend as a unit. In defence it is not so simple and they do it very well."
Finally, he confessed how to manage the expectation of success after Barça's brutal start to the season. "We're going step by step, game by game. That's our key. We're not looking back, just to analyse what we haven't done well. We're focusing on the next game against Real Sociedad and it's important that we're focused," he concluded.