Hansi Flick Press Conference | Barcelona - Osasuna Preview

Hansi Flick appeared before the media this Friday on the eve of the Barcelona-Osasuna match, the last home game of the year, with a speech marked by serenity, self-criticism, and an absolute focus on daily work.

The FC Barcelona coach spoke about the team's current moment, about Real Madrid, Osasuna, Joan García and Ter Stegen, Eric García, Frenkie de Jong, Rashford and Alejandro Balde.

STOP: Flick avoids any kind of triumphalism

Asked about Barça's position in the standings and the possibility of increasing the gap with Real Madrid, Flick was blunt. The German rejected any premature optimistic reading and emphasized the team's constant improvement.

“We have the quality and we can beat anyone, but there are things we can improve and that’s what I’m focused on.”

The coach's message was clear: being top of the table doesn't change the coaching staff's or the locker room's approach. "Now is not the time to think we're in first place," he stressed.

Focus on Barça and absolute silence on Real Madrid

One of the most forceful moments of the press conference came when Hansi Flick was asked about the Real Madrid dugout situation and the figure of Xabi Alonso. Far from engaging in external debates, the Barça coach immediately closed the door.

"Bah, it's a long way to go, it's December now and there are many games left to play, it's always important to look at ourselves."

A response that reinforces the coach's line of work since his arrival: isolating the team from external noise and focusing all energy on their own performance.

Osasuna, a Rival Demanding the Highest Level

Flick also analyzed the Navarrese rival, recalling the difficulties that any match in LaLiga poses if one does not compete at the highest level. The German coach did not want to be complacent and warned of the demands of the match

“In LaLiga every match is difficult if you don't play at 100%. We have prepared well, it doesn't matter who the opponent is. We are focused on preparing the players for what we need and fighting for the three points.”

The memory of the tough defeat suffered against Osasuna in the past remains, and the coaching staff wants to avoid any complacency in this last home commitment of the year.

The Goalkeeping: Total Confidence in Joan García and Ter Stegen...

One of the recurring topics was the goalkeeping. Flick once again emphatically reaffirmed the role of Joan García as the team's starting goalkeeper.

“Joan is number one. I don’t see a second or a third. We are not going to change Joan, he is doing very well”

Regarding the future of Ter Stegen, the coach limited himself to confirming that private conversations are taking place, without going into detail: "I have spoken with him, it's my job, but that remains between him and me."

Eric García, De Jong, and Midfield Management

Another focus was the evolution of Eric García, recently renewed and increasingly established as a defensive midfielder. Flick was satisfied with his performance in that position: "In the last few games he has been in midfield with good performances, but we will decide tomorrow because he can play in both positions and as a number 6 as well"

"He has a great quality in all the positions he plays, and as a defensive midfielder he is at a high level, a player like him can change several positions and is very good, and now stability matters, it's good to have him for his versatility"

Eric's consolidation has had a direct impact on other footballers, such as Frenkie de Jong. Flick explained that the Dutchman still needs to regain his feel for the game after being ill.

“In the last few games we have played very well with Cubarsí, Gerard, Balde and Eric at ‘6’. Frenkie was sick and has to improve. The important thing is to have the best possible eleven on the field"

Internal Competition in the Team: The Key to Barça's Growth

Beyond proper names, Hansi Flick highlighted one of the aspects he considers fundamental for the team's progress: internal competition. The coach celebrated the increased level in training and the demands among players: “In a team like Barça, with so many competitions, it is important to have competition. This makes the players improve,” he explained.

"When you play multiple competitions, it's important to have several players in the same position. It's good for us and for them, as has been seen in recent weeks, where they've been amazing, because everyone is at their training and playing level"

He gave the situation in attack as an example, where the competition between Ferran Torres and Lewandowski is raising collective performance: "The situation with Ferran and Lewandowski is good for the team. I've loved what I've seen in the last four weeks. Ferran is at a great level," he highlighted.

About Rashford

"When he's on the bench, he shows what a great squad we have. His attitude and mentality are those of a great professional. I talk to everyone who doesn't play and explain that the only thing that matters are the three points"

About Balde

"He is also very young, what I can say is that I see him playing very well, focused on training well after his injury and he has a lot of potential, he can also play for Spain, so he has to show it every game, every minute, that level, that speed, he can improve a lot but his mentality is great"

A Clear Final Message: Work, Demands, and Barça Mentality

Flick closed his appearance by emphasizing that the level shown recently must become the norm and not the exception

“The quality in training is now different from two months ago. This level is Barça's level. If we train like this, we can improve”

With this speech, the German coach reaffirms his roadmap: calm, self-criticism, and maximum demand so that Fútbol Club Barcelona continues to grow without deviating from the path and competes to win all titles at stake