Summary
FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick previewed the La Liga opener against Elche, addressing the striker situation after Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski's departures. While tight-lipped about his starting number nine, Flick praised teenage sensation Hamza Abdelkarim for his impressive preseason goals and potential, hinting at a "surprise." He emphasized the squad's increased quality and healthy competition among new signings, stating he isn't concerned about lost goals. Regarding new arrivals, Rodri is ruled out for Sunday's match, training individually, but Joao Cancelo is deemed ready and could feature against Elche, with Flick highlighting his fantastic technique and offensive prowess.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick spoke ahead of Elche.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has spoken about who will play as his 9 against Elche on Sunday, as well as his plans for new signing Rodri.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has spoken about who will play as his 9 against Elche on Sunday, as well as his plans for new signing Rodri at a prematch press conference to preview the Catalans’ La Liga season opener.
With Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski both leaving the club, Flick is without a seasoned 9 as things stand.
Egypt World Cup star Hamza Abdelkarim has impressed with a string of goals in preseason, however, including one against his former club Al-Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy match won by Barca 2-1 on Wednesday.
The pursuit of Julian Alvarez or another striker continues in the meantime, with the transfer window closing on in just over a week.
As Flick has to make do with what he has, though, he was asked who his frontman will be in Elche. Tight-lipped as always, he gave little away yet praised Hamza.
“Of course I know who will play. We have a lot of options within the team. Maybe there will be a surprise tomorrow,” Flick teased.
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More specifically on his teenage sensation, Flick said that Hamza is “having a very good pre-season”.
“He is a '9’, a young player, with a lot of potential and has scored goals. He has done a fantastic job. And about Julián I already said before that I don’t talk about other players from other teams.”
Flick isn’t worried about losing Lewandowski and Ferran’s goals either - which were some 30 between them (16 for Ferran, 14 for Lewandowski) in La Liga alone.
“We have signed top level players and the quality is higher. There have been a lot of changes, but sometimes it’s also very good to change things in the dressing room because then everyone is aware of it,” Flick said.
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“This is a competition and everyone is competing to play. This makes the players stronger, they improve and the team grows. This is how titles are won.
“It is a privilege to be able to train with this enormous quality and healthy competition everyday. I told the players that the quality is very good, but tomorrow the important thing starts. We have to start well and with a victory,” Flick stressed.
Rodri no, Cancelo (maybe) yes for FC Barcelona
Training individually away from the group on Saturday, new signing from Manchester City, Rodri, had his availability pretty much ruled out by Flick.
"Rodri trained a little on the pitch. I’m glad he’s here, he’s a fantastic player. He’s a leader and his personality is fantastic. Our plan is for him to join the group on Monday," Flick remarked.
As for fellow acquisition Joao Cancelo, however, he has more chances of getting the nod at Elche or at least coming off the bench.
“He’s ready to play and yes, he could play tomorrow. In my opinion, he has a fantastic technique,” Flick said about the Portuguese.
"He’s a player with a lot of passion and last season he gave us a lot. He was always in the right position at his best level. Offensively he gave us more options, he helped us win LaLiga," Flick added.
FC Barcelona vs. Elche kicks off at 21.30 local time in Spain on Sunday evening.