FC Barcelona will be aiming to strengthen their grip at the top of the La Liga table when they take on CA Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday.
The Blaugrana have opened up a lead, even if it is a small one, in the title race and have a chance to widen the gap between themselves and Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, both of whom will not play until Sunday.
Barça did not have the best of games last time they faced Osasuna, as they lost 4-2 and Hansi Flick & co. will be hoping to avoid a repeat and secure all three points tomorrow.
Ahead of the game at Montjuic, the German tactician spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference, talking about several topics including possible rotations for the match.
Kicking things off, Flick touched upon Osasuna and the challenges they present, saying: “It’s a tough game, as I always say. When we played there they pressed us very well and we had problems. Tomorrow is a different game and we will be ready.”
There has been a lot of talk about the Barcelona manager rotating his lineup tomorrow, keeping in mind the UCL clash vs Benfica next Tuesday.
“We haven’t decided yet, but we have to make rotations. We will put the best team on the pitch. We’ve managed it well and we’ll do it again tomorrow,” said Flick.
Talking about the defeat against them away in Pamplona, he added: “It’s very different. It was an away game and we had a lot of changes.
“The important thing is to be able to put out the best possible team on the pitch. Now we have a different level of how the team plays. I’m positive for tomorrow’s game.”
The German head coach then spoke about the effort that his team put in the 1-0 win over Benfica earlier this week despite being reduced to ten men for close to 70 minutes, saying:
“I’m very proud because the team had solutions at every moment. It gives us confidence in our idea. It’s working well and hopefully, we can keep it up in the coming weeks.”
Talking about the stunning performance of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny against Benfica, he noted: “It’s his job. He helped us a lot. That’s why he’s number one.”
Discussing the 34-year-old Pole’s signing and the decision to put him as the first-choice starter ahead of Inaki Pena, Flick added:
“When you see the players in training you get a ‘feeling’. We talk a lot with the staff about the players and what they can bring. For me, it was clear that he could play here. I decided things, but I always want to know the opinion of the others.”
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona lost to Osasuna earlier this season. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Amid talks that Pedri could be given a rest by Flick against Osasuna, the manager said: “We will see him tomorrow. He is very professional and his attitude is incredible. He is recovering well after the games and he is training well, at a high level.
“You can see it on the pitch. He plays the way he trains. He gives us a lot of strength in that position, but we have to think about the future. We will decide tomorrow.”
Regarding the importance of avoiding mistakes on the pitch, the Barcelona head coach remarked:
“It’s always good to see the positive things. Negative things or mistakes are not good. We are good at thinking positive, at pressing. We want to play like we used to. We have learned in the past that we can defend well as a team.”
On being asked to name his best and worst moments at Barcelona so far, Flick replied: “It’s a difficult question. I don’t have much time to think about it. I don’t want to.”
Talking about his experience of being at Barcelona and coaching the team thus far, the German said:
“We have a clear idea of how we want to play. We analyse the team and Barça B. What I have here is that there is a clear connection with Deco and the club. The players and the whole team want to play and compete.
“In the dressing room, there is a special atmosphere. It’s the most different thing. Everyone is looking out for each other. We have a great atmosphere with the players and the staff.
“Everybody feels important. It’s great. It’s easier when you win than when you lose, but this is the way to manage it.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo