The FC Barcelona is the sole leader of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025 after 'crushing' Real Sociedad in matchday 26 of the championship. After the match, Hansi Flick addressed the media in a press conference and evaluated his team's crucial victory, as well as commenting on other 'hot' topics such as the absence of Gavi in the match.

"The red card changed the game a lot. They are a good team, but I think we pressed them and deserved the result," the German began, who also expressed satisfaction with the 124 goals scored by the culés in 40 matches. "We like to play this way. As much as possible on the attack. It's good to have that attitude. Today I think we occupied the right positions. But it is true that the red card helped us," he commented.

The coach also wanted to highlight the clean sheet achieved against the donostiarras and the scoring debut of Gerard Martín and Casadó. "Even though they were down to ten men, it's important. We talked about that during the week after the match against Atlético. Maybe with a bit more discipline we could have scored a few more goals, but it couldn't be. I'm happy for the goals of Casadó and Gerard Martín, who are making their debut," he stated.

"We are going to fight for all the titles"

Barcelona leads LaLiga alone after being 7 points from first place a few weeks ago. In this regard, Flick stated that "we always look at the positive and our job was to try, but to take it one match at a time. Now we are first and we have to keep going." However, when asked if they are in the perfect moment to win everything, he stated that "it's not the time to talk about that. We have to focus on Benfica. Of course we are going to fight for all the titles".

Gavi's absence in the match

Dani Olmo was chosen to accompany Marc Casadó and Pedri in midfield, completing a memorable performance by providing two assists that earned him the MVP of the match. However, Flick confessed that the egarense was going to come off the bench, but a last-minute issue prevented Gavi from starting.

"Honestly, I had thought about starting with Gavi, but he felt some discomfort. He wasn't feeling well and we changed the plan. That's why Olmo played," explained the German, who revealed that the blaugrana '6' "told us yesterday that he had a fever and we had to take that into account. He warmed up, but we decided it wasn't necessary to take the risk."

However, the depth of the squad that the coach has in the midfield allows for the replacement of any of his players with another top-quality player. In this regard, the German assured that "I can't say it's the best midfield in the world, but I can say it's a midfield with quality. And that helps."

Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and the fight for LaLiga

Lamine Yamal couldn't break his drought in LaLiga, but he was again a key piece in Barça's victory. Regarding the winger's situation, Flick stated that "he will return the day he scores, it's something natural. Because he is trying new things, he is making an effort, but the opponents are also doing their job. Lamine is on the right track. It doesn't matter who scores, as long as the team does."

In contrast to Lewandowski, who has already accumulated 34 goals in 37 matches and is the top scorer in the five major leagues across all competitions. "For a number nine, scoring is always important. It's true that he has had some luck, but he is always there and for him, that is important," commented the coach.

"Benfica has had a week to prepare for the match and we won't have that much time"

The Catalans sealed the match quickly, and when asked if this could benefit the team ahead of the clash on Wednesday against Benfica, the German stated that "I can't anticipate that. It's true that today there were factors that helped us, like the red card and the early goal. We were able to substitute Cubarsí, Raphinha, Pedri… But we will see what happens because Benfica has had a week to prepare for the match and we won't have that much time."

Finally, regarding Carlo Ancelotti's statements, who stated that he believes LaLiga will be decided on the last day, the azulgrana coach confessed that "I always look at the next match and don't look beyond that. I am satisfied with the point we are at, but now we have to focus on the next match against Benfica, and on the match on Saturday against Osasuna."