This weekend, FC Barcelona returns to the Spotify Camp Nou after almost a month and a half and eight away games, hosting Real Oviedo (16:15 CEST). In the pre-match press conference, Hansi Flick spoke about the Asturian team and gave some hints about his XI for matchday 21 of LaLiga EA Sports.

"We're playing at home again, which is good. We want to win, it's about us and how we start. We have to be alert from the beginning and that's what I want from my team," the manager began, speaking about what will be the third league match this year, after the loss last Sunday against Real Sociedad (1-2).

Regarding the league lead and the pressure Real Madrid could exert if they win this Saturday against Villarreal, Flick dismissed this factor as a determinant for Barça's match. "There's a lot ahead, for them and for us. I'm not sure if I'll have time to watch it... We'll see," he said about the 'Merengue' visit to Castellón

Araujo, ready to be a starter again?

Regarding his team for Sunday, where Ferran Torres and Pedri González will be out due to injury, Flick highlighted the possibility of starting Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan played 11 minutes on Wednesday against Slavia Prague (2-4), but he hasn't seen minutes in the league since November 22, when he came on after halftime against Athletic (4-0).

"We have to manage his minutes, his physical condition. **He is much better and could be an option to start. We have to manage him and tomorrow we will know more**," commented the Barça coach about Araújo. Similarly, the manager assessed the progress of Pablo Gavi, who could return at the end of February after almost five months of post-knee surgery rehabilitation.

"He is training and improving a lot. He is also toning and building muscle. What is best for him is to maintain patience and calm. We trust our staff, he has a long career ahead of him and there is no need to rush. When he is ready, he will be," he concluded, referring to the Andalusian.

On the other hand, Hansi Flick referred to the two goals conceded against Slavia, **both from set-piece situations (corners)**. The coach understands that the team does indeed tend to make mistakes that cost goals, but the case of the goals conceded in Prague had more to do with the context of the match: extreme cold, little time to prepare for it, and the opponent's physical strength.

"We have to be attentive. We sometimes think everything works because we play well, but in defense it's more complicated. We have to be ready for one-on-one situations or blocks"

Flick believes Barça is right to bring forward the elections

Furthermore, the FC Barcelona coach was asked about the decision of the board presided over by Joan Laporta to bring forward the club's next elections to March 15. Flick believes it is a good move, as **this helps to guarantee the institution's stability.

**"It's not my business, but I did know about it. The president spoke with me. It's good that it's as soon as possible. It won't affect us, we are professionals. We're going to focus on our own thing and always play at our best," he said about the media buzz the election will generate.

In that regard, the German coach made it clear that **the vote "is secret"** and, although his relationship with Laporta is excellent, he will wait for the moment of the elections to decide which proposal to support.

"I know one or two of the pre-candidates. I'm focused on my job right now. When the time comes, they will inform me and I will decide who to vote for," Flick pointed out, not without first acknowledging the good work done by the current board.

"I believe that in the last year and a half there have been changes for the better. Many things have been done well. It's important for the club to have stability. The members choose the future of the club, and I hope we are heading in the best direction"