Following the frustration of their UEFA Champions League elimination by the hands of Inter Milan, FC Barcelona are again in La Liga motion this weekend as they tackle arch-rivals Actual Madrid on Sunday.
With the Catalans having a four-point lead over Carlo Ancelotti’s staff on the prime of the desk, a victory tomorrow at Montjuic would all however assure their league title triumph.
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Nonetheless, whether or not Barça can put aside the frustration of the midweek defeat and the bodily and psychological fatigue from it heading into the Clasico will maintain the important thing.
Forward of the blockbuster encounter tomorrow, Barcelona supervisor Hansi Flick spoke to the media in his pre-match press convention, offering an replace on the health situation of key gamers like Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde amongst different issues.
On the staff mindset
Kicking issues off, the German tactician offered an perception into the staff’s mindset after the midweek heartbreak, saying:
“We’re doing effectively, after the defeat in Milan everybody is aware of it’s not straightforward, however we’re doing issues effectively. We’ve got talked about what we need to do in these two weeks.
“We’ve got 4 video games and a Clasico to indicate how effectively we will play. We have to present that confidence about what we need to show.”
Additional discussing the matter, he added: “We’ve got spoken to the gamers to search out out their emotions, we do it brazenly. In a recreation just like the Clasico, we now have to be at 100%, lively, with depth, dominant.
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“They’re a incredible staff, however we’re enjoying at residence. At each second of the sport, the followers know what we’d like.”
On the squad
after recovering from his hamstring damage whereas Lewandowski returned to motion in midweek, enjoying a couple of minutes. Nonetheless, Flick confirmed that the pair just isn’t prepared to start out but, stating:
“I don’t assume so from the beginning. Gerard and the remainder of the gamers are doing very effectively, we now have to be very cautious. I believe within the second half they will get minutes.”
When requested if Wojciech Szczesny might be beginning in purpose regardless of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s return from damage, Flick replied: “Sure.”
Balde is again however won’t begin. (Photograph by Judit Cartiel/Getty Pictures)
With Jules Kounde out and Balde not prepared to start out, Barcelona will go into tomorrow’s recreation with Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin as starters within the full-back positions. And Flick was effusive in reward of the duo, as he mentioned:
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“We will see that each gamers are very skilled and have improved loads because the begin of the season. I’m not shocked. Once you see Gerard enjoying in a Champions League semi-final…. He performed a incredible recreation.
“We miss Balde, he has been at an amazing degree. It’s excellent news to have him again.”
On Garcia, he added: “I at all times speak about Eric, I like his angle and mentality. After I inform him to play as a No. 2, centre-back or No. 6, he has no drawback. He can play with or with out the ball and he can rating targets.”
The supervisor additionally had large phrases of reward for veteran defender Inigo Martinez for the way in which he has tailored to the system and his management.
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“It’s not straightforward, I’ve to assume. He has a distinct type, he’s not the standard soccer participant. He likes to play with extra depth, he has tailored to our type. He’s a pacesetter, he focuses on successful each recreation, in each coaching session,” mentioned Flick.
“He at all times thinks positively and shares that along with his teammates. He’s a fighter and an amazing chief. I’m very proud of him. He’s doing very effectively and possibly it’s probably the greatest seasons he’s had and he’s 33 years previous. It’s not straightforward to make these modifications.”
In the meantime, addressing the matter of Szczesny’s contract, which expires subsequent month, the Barcelona supervisor mentioned:
“It’s Deco’s job, I’m not in control of contracts. He has an amazing character, optimistic, he retains calm, typically he smokes a bit, however he’s like that. He’s on the proper age and he’s very relaxed.
“I believe he want to keep in Barcelona. Within the case of Lewandowski, he has yet another 12 months left, we’ll see what occurs.”
On the La Liga title and the significance of successful tomorrow
Speaking in regards to the significance and worth of successful the La Liga title, Flick famous: “I believe it’s probably the most honest title, you must play 38 video games.”
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Barcelona have already overwhelmed Actual Madrid in three El Clasico encounters this season, together with twice within the finals of the Spanish Tremendous Cup and Copa del Rey.
Nonetheless, with the league title on the road, Flick was requested whether or not tomorrow’s recreation was crucial Clasico, to which he replied:
“Once you play the sort of recreation, Madrid may also attempt to win. For us, I’m not frightened in regards to the state of affairs within the desk, we now have to win. That’s our mentality, how we exit from the beginning. We’re centered on this recreation, nothing else.”
“When you ask the gamers, they’ll at all times need to win it, it’s a Clasico. It doesn’t matter what occurs within the standings.”
Barcelona have overwhelmed Actual Madrid thrice this season. (Photograph by Angel Martinez/Getty Pictures)
On whether or not he thinks tomorrow’s Clasico might be just like the earlier three they’ve performed this time period, the Barcelona coach remarked:
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“You by no means know what the sport might be like. They’re two nice groups and we hope to benefit from residence benefit. Perhaps will probably be a bit completely different from the sport in Madrid, I hope we depart with the three factors.”
“Once we’ve performed them, they man-mark us, they’re superb in transition. They’ve a formidable attacking system,” he added.
Speaking in regards to the bodily situation and fatigue within the squad and whether or not it has contributed to the staff conceding extra targets in current matches, Flick said:
“We’ve got 4 video games and we’re going to give attention to every recreation. Tomorrow’s recreation is the primary one, crucial for the followers, gamers and for me as effectively.
“It has nothing to do with the truth that the gamers lack the vitality. Within the final 4-5 months, the gamers have carried out a incredible job.”
Relating to the excessive defensive position and whether or not it’s a drawback, Flick defined: “Once we began, I used to be clear in regards to the philosophy I wished to implement, initially we had some doubts as a result of it was a distinct type.
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“What you usually see is the defensive position, however you must press the place the ball is; know who begins the dynamic, who follows to regain possession. We noticed some doubts, however the staff has tailored very effectively.
They’ve additionally been enhancing, I believe they’re proud of the type of play. After I see it, how they practice, their high quality…. I’m proud of the depth within the coaching, the main focus…. I believe we will see the outcomes.”
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