FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick provided a candid update on the club’s “complicated situation” and his own emotional investment ahead of the team’s Champions League fixture against Olympiacos.
Speaking at his customary press conference, Flick revealed that he is unlikely to risk key attackers Ferran Torres and Raphinha for the European match due to injury concerns, hoping they will be ready for El Clásico instead. He stressed the need to “minimize risks” with their return, admitting, “I miss Raphinha because he was very important for us last season.”
The German coach warned his players about their opponents, noting the need for defensive awareness: “They have a strong attack, the statistics say they’re one of the best attacking teams… We have to be alert to those situations.” Internally, he believes the team needs to improve, stating, “We must find better positioning and press from there.”
Flick also addressed his highly publicised celebrations during the recent win against Girona, offering a passionate insight into his time in Catalonia. He admitted his emotions have changed since his tenure at Bayern Munich, explaining the cause of his animated sideline behaviour: “What I can say is that I love this club, I love Barcelona, I love the people here, it’s incredible, and I give my all for this club. I live for it.”
However, the coach conceded he needs to moderate his reactions: “When I see myself on TV, I don’t like it, to be honest, and I don’t want my grandson to see me like that, so maybe I need to change my behavior.” He also confirmed the versatility of Marcus Rashford as both a number 9 and an ’11’ for the squad.