Hansi Flick: satisfied with the internal competition in his Barcelona

FC Barcelona turned the page on the setback against Rayo with a thrashing of Valencia (6-0). After the match, Hansi Flick congratulated his players for a remarkable performance, with very high peaks of performance in both attack and defense despite having up to five injury absences.

"There is always a first time for everything. It doesn't matter who is missing. Frenkie and Balde were not there. We focus on each game. Now we are already focused on Newcastle. We are very happy to take this victory," he began by saying, referring to the injury absences in the squad.

The most sensitive absence was that of Lamine Yamal, who is also a serious doubt for the Champions League debut. Flick opted for Roony Bardghji due, presumably, to Raphinha's delay in the last reactivation session prior to the match.

Flick 'passes' on controversies over Raphinha's substitution

However, the coach praised the work of the entire team, without referring to the reasons for his decisions. "We can only have eleven players, there are many. It was a technical decision. It's the only thing I can say," the coach stated to 'pass' on future controversies. In addition, he had praise for both the Brazilian and the Swede.

"Roony is training well. Raphinha was coming from a long trip. He has a great mentality... Roony's attitude was fantastic. He wants to learn, continue learning," he argued regarding the forwards. Bardghji did not have a good first half, while Rafa shone with a brace after replacing the '28' at halftime.

Intensity and forcefulness: Flick reveals the keys to Barça's thrashing of Valencia

After a day in which he referred to ego problems in the squad, Flick, this time, praised the team for their work against Valencia. For the coach, the most important thing is that all the players are 100% focused on performing at their best.

"We have played with intensity and we have played together. We have seen how the eleven have played wonderfully and the rest have also raised the level. It is a start after the break. It is also emotional the return of Marc Bernal," added the German.

Similarly, he had praise for Fermín López, the best of Barça on a day in which, along with him, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scored braces.

Raphinha, Lewandowski and Fermín celebrating one of Barça's goals against Valencia (6-0)

"Today he has taken a great step. He performs well with and without the ball, he has recovered balls.... He shows confidence and I think he can improve even more. You have to stay calm, but maybe not do a nutmeg and give the ball away... Fermín is at a fantastic level," Flick pointed out.

Finally, the Azulgrana coach also expressed his satisfaction with the work of Ferran Torres and Lewandowski. Beyond the debate about who should be the starting '9', the coach is confident that both will perform at their best and be happy in the team.

"In the end there will be games for everyone. The team has been great in all positions. For me it is great to have to choose between Ferran and Lewandowski. I am very happy to have players of such quality in this position."

"If we have to play here (at the Johan Cruyff), we do. It's going well for us. Playing at the Camp Nou will be fantastic."