Hansi Flick confirms Barça's first winter signing!

FC Barcelona will visit the Benito Villamarín this Saturday, December 7, to face Real Betis in the 16th round of LaLiga EA Sports 24/25. A team that, in the press conference before the match, Hansi Flick defined as "very good and has experienced players. We already know what they are capable of at the end, they always press high and we have to be careful."

After returning to winning ways in the league championship last Tuesday in Son Moix, the coach assured that "we must have the same mentality as in Mallorca. Next week we also have the Champions League, it is important that the team believes in its strengths, that is what this young team needs."

The reunion with Vitor Roque

In Seville, Barça will meet again with Vitor Roque, who left Barcelona last summer due to the lack of opportunities that Flick promised him if he decided to continue with the team. A situation that the German has referred to in front of the media.

"We realised that when he arrived he was not in the best situation. I spoke to him and he was not completely happy, it was the best decision for him. It is very good for him that he feels better and is more positive"

"I am not worried, I trust my players. All teams have good footballers, the same with Betis. We must defend as well as possible. He is doing very well and is improving," commented the Barça coach on the match against the Brazilian.

Will Raphinha rotate against Betis?

When asked about the possible rest of Raphinha against Betis, Flick flatly ruled out the rotation of the winger. "No, no. We are very convinced, we need Rapha in all the games. When he is available and OK he will play. If he works for the 90', then he will play whole, if not less. Lewy is also a case and will be a starter tomorrow," he revealed.

He also urged Lamine Yamal to continue showing his best level on the pitch to give credence to the myth of 'Laminedependence'. "If the statistics are true, I hope to see him tomorrow," said the coach forcefully.

The return of Araújo and the other injured players

On the other hand, the German confessed that, although Ronald Araújo will not be available in Seville, he could be at his command next Wednesday against Borussia Dortmund, although his return is scheduled for Sunday 15 against Leganés.

"He will not be available tomorrow. Maybe he could play against Dortmund, but our objective is for him to be available for Leganés"

"It is not easy to include him in all the games because the team is doing well. I am very happy, in today's training we focused on tomorrow," said the coach.

Regarding the recoveries of Andreas Christensen and Ansu Fati, Flick said that "I think that when you think about how many games we have from the beginning of the year next year, it is important to have rotation, so that the players recover. Of course I like that players are recovering, let's hope that they can all recover before the end of the year."

Barça's absence from the Club World Cup

Flick surprised those present at his appearance by saying that Barça's absence from the Club World Cup could be positive. "I can't change it. We're not there and well, at the end of next season I also think about my players who already carry a lot of load. Maybe it's also good for them to rest more. We'll have a longer preseason to prepare them," he said.

Finally, when asked if it would be better to have many more games at the Spotify Camp Nou in the second half of the season, the coach said: "It could be, I'm not entirely convinced because we have to play all the games. We already saw what happened last weekend. Let's hope so, this morning I was talking to my assistant about it and we hope we can play on the new pitch."