After Barcelona’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich, manager Hansi Flick was visibly pleased, though he tried to maintain his composure amid the celebrations.
While the joy of the win was undeniable, Flick remained grounded in his post-match reflections.
He acknowledged that while the match had been tough in its early stages, particularly during the first 10-15 minutes after the opening goal, the team’s recovery was impressive.
This resilience, he noted, is a vital trait for a squad as young as Barcelona’s, and it was encouraging to see them steadily improve with each performance.
“We have a young team and it’s important to see this. We have to show our potential and we try to play better and better each time,” the manager began saying.
Thoughts on Marc Casado
When asked about Marc Casado, Flick’s admiration for the young midfielder was evident.
He highlighted the talent emerging from La Masia, stating that Casado’s defensive abilities and skills with the ball are remarkable, especially considering he’s just recently come up from Barça Atletic.
“It’s incredible if you know that Casado comes from Barça Atlètic and you see the level he has now. He’s incredibly good defensively and with the ball at his feet.”
Flick emphasised the influence of La Masia, pointing out that the quality of players from Barcelona’s famed academy is clear for everyone to see.
“It’s La Masia. Everyone in the stadium sees the quality of these players. You could see when we had confidence, in the second half, how we passed the ball around, it was incredible. Everyone was happy, including the staff,” he noted.
Looking towards El Clasico… or not
Meanwhile, Flick avoided speaking in detail about the upcoming El Clasico against Real Madrid, stating that his focus would shift to that challenge the following day.
“I’m not thinking about what could happen at the Bernabéu, I’ll think about it from tomorrow onwards.”
However, he recognised the added difficulty of having one less day to prepare compared to their rivals, although he stressed that his players are always eager for such important fixtures.
“We have one day less than Madrid to prepare for the Clasico but all the players want to play this match. We will prepare well for this match,” he said.
Praise for Raphinha and Co.
The Barcelona manager also praised Raphinha’s contribution to the team, not just for his skill but for his work ethic, both in training and on the pitch.
Flick sees Raphinha as a crucial player due to his ability to press high up the field and his excellent preparation for scoring opportunities.
“I have to say that he is a very good example of how the team can function. He always has a good attitude in training and matches.
“For us, he is very important, also because of the counter-pressure he does. And also because of how he prepares to score.”
His combination of offensive and defensive work, alongside his technical ability, sets him apart, according to Flick. The coach added that he had never worked with a player quite like Raphinha, and his impact on the team is undeniable.
“He has good dynamics with the ball and he has had an extraordinary match. His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, are something special. I have never had a player like him and he helps us a lot.”
Flick also took a moment to acknowledge the brilliance of young stars like Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsi, who continue to impress despite their young age.
“We have also seen the high quality of Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí … At this age, they have shown high performance.”
Pedri, in particular, received high praise, with Flick highlighting his immense talent and desire to win.
“He has great quality and wants to win many games. He is beautiful to watch,” concluded the manager.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
