Barcelona will be aiming to end their three-game winless streak in La Liga when they take on RCD Mallorca away at Estadi Son Moix on Tuesday evening.
The Blaugrana head into the game on the back of a surprise 1-2 loss to UD Las Palmas at home, which has seen their lead at the top of the table get reduced to just one point.
The defeat came after Barcelona had lost to Real Sociedad and then were held to a draw by Celta Vigo, allowing Real Madrid to close the gap in the table.
As such, Hansi Flick, who finds himself in a mini-crisis of sorts for the first time since taking over at Barcelona, will be eager to get things back on track.
On the team’s current plight
Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Mallorca, the German tactician discussed various aspects related to Barça and how they can end their current poor run in the league.
Looking forward to what lies ahead and how the team can improve, Flick said: “For me, the good news is that November is over and we are in December. The team has given a lot, in the middle we have had a lot of intensity and determination.
“We created chances. We haven’t finished and that’s something we have to learn to do better. We are the youngest team. We must learn and fight for the victory. At the back we need to not concede goals and for that we have to defend as a unit.
“In attack, we also have to be united. Against Las Palmas, we did well, but we were responsible for the defeat. We have to be ready to face this type of game and convert our chances.”
When asked to elaborate on why there has been a sudden dip in form in the league, he replied:
“I’m not worried. A lot of things happened in the game against Las Palmas, I don’t want to go into details. It may seem like I’m making excuses, but we lost. We have to be concentrated in attack.
“We can have two or three chances but we have to score them. In football, it’s the goals that count.”
On the one aspect that he wants the team to improve upon as soon as possible, Flick remarked:
“There is always a reason why we concede goals. For me it’s something to do with the timing of defending, getting the pressure right. Sometimes it seems easy, but it’s not that easy.
“We failed to press, we couldn’t close down spaces as a unit and attack the spaces, that’s what we have to improve.”
Regarding the controversial referee decision to not award Barcelona a penalty against Las Palmas, the German said: “I think it’s up to us. I don’t care too much about what the referees do and make excuses.”
Team news
The Barcelona manager then confirmed that Dani Olmo will be ready to start against Mallorca but Ronald Araujo will not be available even though he trained with the group today.
“All the players except Ronald, although he is doing very well and is very close to playing. The sensations are very good and it is very important that he goes step by step. Olmo is back, to be a starter,” said Flick.
Ready to start. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Regarding the packed schedule and any plans for rotation, the German said: “After the game and today I thought a lot about making changes and resting the players. Everyone is ready, they are ready to play and it’s a good sign. It’s going to be tough, but that’s football.”
Barça will be greeted by the return of Marc Casado against Mallorca after the midfielder missed the weekend clash due to suspension. Praising the youngster, Flick said:
“He has improved a lot since the start of the season. He has played his first international match. He defends, reads the opposition’s game and knows where to be at all times. He has a very good reading of what to do with the ball as well.”
On Saturday, when Frenkie de Jong came on from the bench, the Dutchman was not given the captain’s armband by Raphinha, who is lower than the midfielder in the pecking order.
But Flick played down the incident, saying: “I haven’t noticed it. It doesn’t have to happen, it’s not for a particular reason. In Germany we didn’t pass the armband. I don’t know why it didn’t happen.”
At the same time, the German tactician also confirmed that he has no plans to replace Inaki Pena with Wojciech Szczesny in goal at this point.
“He [Szczesny] has trained very well, but right now I don’t plan to change the goalkeeper. Inaki is the first choice goalkeeper,” said the manager.
Regarding the drop in the number of offside calls in their favour compared to the start of the season, the Barcelona head coach said:
“Obviously, the rivals are doing a very good job. They prepare for the games they play against us.”
On Laporta and the team’s fighting spirit
Barcelona president Joan Laporta was present at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva complex today while the players prepared for tomorrow’s match. Flick confirmed that he did have a discussion with the club chief, saying:
“Yes, I have spoken to him. I congratulated him on the 125th anniversary and we wanted to give him a present, but we couldn’t do it the other day.
“Today I spoke about the necessary fight. When I was a player, I focused a lot on this attitude. We need to create more of a fighting mentality in the team to win games. Sometimes we do well, but there is room to win.”
On being asked if he felt that the team had lost some of its fighting spirit, Flick responded by saying:
“I didn’t say this. We had long possessions and many chances, but in the end it’s a fight to win the duels. When I see Cubarsí or Íñigo and how well they defend. Pedri runs a lot in midfield. So do the others.
“I mentioned them because they are at a very high level. Raphinha too. I hope December will be a better month. There is a very long way to go, we want to win the league title and for that everyone has to fight.”
Source: AS