FC Barcelona.
He Blaugrana You could find ten points behind the archirival and the leaders of the Real Madrid League, who are in action against RCD Espanyol tonight.
As such, Hansi Flick & Co. It will be anxious to avoid any slip, not having been in the best way in the League since the end of November.
Before tomorrow’s game in Montjuic, the manager’s film went to the media today, discussing a variety of themes.
In the shock of Alaves
Speaking of what your team can expect from Alaves tomorrow, said the German tactic: “We have to be hungry to take the three points. We have to be cautious because they scored against us in the first minutes. We have to be focused. “
Speaking more about what your team needs to do, he added: “If we have 5-10% below what it should be, it is not possible to win. Everyone struggles to stay in the league. We have to make good Barça clear. 100 percent and always. “
In the preparation of the team for tomorrow, he added: “We will see what happens. We have created several alternatives and we are prepared. “
Speaking about what type of tactics expect from Alaves, Flick declared: “What I was saying. They are stabilizing the defense. They defend themselves very well, press very well.
“Sometimes they play with five in the back. In the first 10 minutes they start very well. We have to monitor that. We have to be focused from the beginning. “
Discussing the start time of the 2 PM (CET) and if it affects the preparation and routine of the team, he commented:
“It implies adapting to training and we do it. I do not look at the schedule in retrospect. We are focused tomorrow against Alaves and it is important that we are ready.
“It will be difficult, we will see how they play, whether they are more defensive or attack. We are prepared for both scenarios. The team can play at 14:00 “.
In the squad
The chief coach of Barcelona then provided a physical conditioning update on the Spanish duo of Inigo Martínez and Dani Olmo, saying:
“It is not easy for players. The schedule is what it is. We are fine with all technical staff. Ingo is back, Dani is a bit left. We are happy with the return of Inigo. “
Meanwhile, establishing the goal debate for good, Flick confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny is now the number 1 ahead of Inaki Pena, saying:
“At the moment, it is. Szczesny is number 1. “
Flick then touched the number of young people in the team, with the manager who completely embraced the tradition of promoting The Masia Talents since he took over the reins in the summer.
“What I see in training is that they like to enjoy competition. They enjoy playing. They feel the confidence that the team gives them. We all trust them. They feel that we are happy, that we support them and that they can play a great game. “ Pointed out.
The chief coach of Barcelona then talked about the team that ended between the 8 top 8 of the UEFA Champions League, which means they do not have for the knocked and resting playoffs, while Real Madrid needs to go through two additional games.
“As I said, it was important. It was not easy. We played Monday, Saturday … I didn’t imagine it that way, but after Valencia we played Seville “, said.
“We can rest to the players and we will have more days to train, especially in the first week. It will be positive. It’s good. It will help us. “
Continuing, he added: “Madrid? I’m talking about my team. It will be good for us to have two weeks free.”
Flick also highlighted the benefit of having a quality depth on the team, which was exhibited when Barcelona shook Valencia 7-1 last weekend despite turning the team strongly.
“In each position, we have two players and that is always positive. When Dani returns, there will be one more. For any team, it is positive to have options in each position. That is what I saw against Valencia. It is positive to see that “, Flick scored.
In what position in the team he would like to reinforce, said Barça chief coach: “I don’t want to talk about that. I am satisfied with the team. We have to work with what we have.
“What I can see here is that everyone is focused and can play. Everyone wants to go one step further. That is what matters. “
Regarding the race for the title and the fact that Barcelona is already seven points from Real Madrid, Flick commented:
“The situation is bad. We have lost many points. We have to win games in a row and press Real Madrid. We have to win games in a row and press Madrid. With seven points it is not easy to press them, but we will continue fighting. “
Source: AS