Will signings arrive at FC Barcelona? Hansi Flick gives no hints about the market

The FC Barcelona seeks to continue its celebration in LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025 this Sunday against Alavés at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. In the lead-up to the match, Hansi Flick spoke to the media in a press conference and, in addition to sharing his feelings about the clash against the babazorros, he commented on some 'hot' topics such as the debate in goal and the culé market.

"Every match is different, but we want to win it. We know we will have to defend, keep a clean sheet, create opportunities to score, and earn the three points. In three of the last five matches, they have scored before the first ten minutes, we must be alert," the coach began, speaking about the visit of the albiazules to Montjuïc.

"They have stabilized the defense and attack with pressure up front, they can play with five at the back. In the first ten minutes, they have started very well and we will have to be prepared to counter it," insisted Flick about the team managed by Eduardo Coudet.

The youth of the team and the schedule

When asked about the average age drop of the squad, the German assured that "what I see in training is that they enjoy competing against each other, the mentality is very good. The most important thing is that they feel the trust of the coach, they have to feel that we are happy and that we support them."

Moreover, he stated that, despite the match being played at 14:00 hours, the preparation "is not very different from usual, but we will have to adapt. I do not look back at the statistics, I focus on tomorrow's match. It will be very important to be prepared and eager to earn the three points; it will be difficult. We will see if they attack or defend more."

On the other hand, the coach highlighted the benefits of having qualified directly for the round of 16 of the Champions League, stating that "for us, it is important to have finished among the top eight in the Champions. Our schedule is not that easy either because we play on Monday and then Saturday, perhaps it is not ideal. We face Valencia and then Sevilla."

"Perhaps we can give two days off, we will have more days to prepare for the next matches. I only want to talk about my team, not the rest. In our case, it is good to have these two matches without midweek games," added the Teuton.

The debate in goal and the transfer market

Regarding the possible arrival of any reinforcement before the winter transfer market closes, Flick limited himself to saying that "I do not want to talk about this because I am happy with the team I have. We have to work with the players we have, we try to improve them day by day. Everyone is focused, they want to play and step up. It is the most important thing for a coach, to see how well they train, that is what I look for and that is why I am happy."

"Right now it is like this: Szczesny is number 1"

The coach definitively settled the debate in the azulgrana goal by stating that "right now it is like this: Szczesny is number 1", and then praised the 'B unit' of Barça. "It is always positive to have two players per position. I believe that in all positions we have at least two players. When Dani returns, we will have another. Against Valencia, with Eric, Fermín, Gerard Martín... It was very good for me to see it," he commented.

The return of Dani Olmo and the gap with Real Madrid

About the situation of Dani Olmo and Iñigo Martínez, who missed a large part of January due to respective physical problems, Flick asserted that "it is not easy for the players, but that is the calendar, it is set for everyone. We are doing well. Iñigo is available again, Dani needs a bit more time".

Finally, the blaugrana coach stated that, despite having a 7-point disadvantage against Real Madrid in the standings, the team will fight until the end. "This is the situation we have, we have lost many points. We hope to win several matches in a row, we need to string together victories to put pressure on Madrid. Seven points, it is not easy, but we will keep fighting."