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In a recent interview with MARCA, former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic offered his opinion on multiple topics, including the current interpretation of the Barça team under new coach Hansi Flick.
Rakitic also spoke about Lamine Yamal and comparisons with Lionel Messi, while also referring to the famous 2014/15 campaign.
Rakitic on current Barcelona team, Flick
Rakitic continued to offer his opinion on the current Barcelona. Specifically, he regretted what happened to Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, regarding their registration problems.
“I hope that what happened with Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor does not happen again. Neither for Barcelona nor for any other team because, as a professional colleague, it is sad.” said.
“It is good that this has happened with two youth players who dreamed of playing for Barcelona. If it weren’t for that, it would have been more difficult.” added the Croatian.
As for Flick’s Barcelona, Rakitic urged Flick to rely more on some of the team’s more experienced players.
“Barcelona could use a little experience and not just on the field. We saw Barcelona incredible at the beginning of the season, but the season is a very long race, like a marathon and the most consistent will be victorious in the end.” said.
“In any case, Barcelona has incredible quality and I am sure that with their way of working they will be able to win the title. “It is a pleasure to see so many important young people on the field.” added the midfielder.
Rakitic’s comments come amid uncertainty brewing over the future of the experienced Frenkie de Jong, who has fallen out of favor with Flick and could leave the club soon.
Rakitic on Yamal and Messi
Finally, Rakitic offered his view on the hot topic in world football right now: Can Lamine Yamal replace Lionel Messi at Barcelona?
Rakitic began by mentioning Ansu Fati, expressing his condolences for his bad luck with injuries.
“First of all, I am a big admirer of Ansu Fati and I am very sorry that he has had so many injuries. I remember when he trained with us for the first time when he was 16 and I told him: ‘This guy should always come.’ When I was at Sevilla and he went to Brighton we tried to sign him. I hope he recovers.” -he began.
“To your question, I didn’t know Lamine directly, but it represents a pleasure, not only for those of us who are from Barça, but for all of us who love football.
“Barça has had a world star for many years. It’s crazy. “It’s good to hear these things from people who see him every day, how he behaves, how he trains.” he concluded.
Rakitic on the 2014/15 season
Rakitic played for Barcelona for many seasons, but it was the 2014/15 campaign that was by far his best.
The midfielder was part of a team that won the treble led by Luis Enrique. It was the same season in which the famous offensive trifecta of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez came to life.
Looking back on the 2014/15 campaign, Rakitic said: “At each stage there are important teams and I think we won the Champions League because we were very superior, then I think we lacked someone to ‘pressure’ us to achieve more.
“I think that, in that sense, it was important for Xavi to stay that year but he left and perhaps that character of strong leadership was missing in the locker room. These details are important because, in my opinion, that was the best. equipment in history.”
Barcelona, however, suffered a rapid decline after the successful 2014/15 campaign, as the club struggled for consistency.
“Football moves very quickly and if you are not 100% in the decisive moments… with the utmost respect, you will fail. Maybe we lacked the ‘advantage’ to go to the end.” Rakitic said when asked about Barcelona’s subsequent fall.
“That was where Madrid became dominant and it is no coincidence. At the level I think we were the best team for many years, but we didn’t take advantage of it as we should have and many people think the same in the world of football.
“I’m not saying that others deserved it more or less. It has nothing to do with that. I’m just talking about Barcelona. “I think we could have achieved more and it’s a shame we didn’t.” he added.
