Barcelona is on the crest of a wave, after winning six consecutive matches and has a 4-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga. Now on the agenda is a seemingly easy task - a home game against 15th-placed Osasuna. The match from the 16th round is on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Here's what coach Hansi Flick commented on at his regular meeting with the media, quoted by sportal.bg.
What mood do you enter the new round with?
This is La Liga and every match is difficult if you don't play at one hundred percent. We have prepared well. It doesn't matter whether the opponent is Athletic, Atletico or Osasuna. We have to be at our best to get the three points.
To what extent does internal competition affect the team's performance?
When you play for Barça, all competitions are important. Any competition, like the one between Ferran and Lewandowski, is positive. What I have seen in the last four or five weeks of training is fantastic. The competition between Ferran and Lewandowski is perfect. As I always say, the quality of training is higher now than it was two months ago. When you train at this level, you can improve.
What is Eric Garcia's strongest position?
I will talk about the present. In recent games we have used him as a “six” (defensive midfielder) and it has worked well. At the moment it is important to have the stability we need. In this regard, Eric can continue to play there. He has quality in every position he plays in. And when you have players like him, you can choose. I emphasize that he gives us many options and it is good to have him as an option.
De Jong has fewer minutes. Does he have a physical problem, or does he need to do something more?
I have already said it. We have had fantastic matches with Erik as a “six”. Frenkie was sick and he needs to improve. That is logical, but it does not worry me because the important thing is that they give their best on the pitch.
In a very short time, from five points behind Real Madrid, you ended up with four points ahead of them. Are you surprised?
The championship is long. It is now December and we still have many games to play. The important thing is to focus on ourselves. There are things we can do better. The right attitude is not to be happy with what we already have. We have to continue. And at the end of the season we will see what place you deserve to be.
Who is the second goalkeeper - Szczesny or Ter Stegen?
Joan Garcia is number one. I will not talk about the second or third goalkeeper. Joan is playing, we believe in him and I do not intend to change him. And he is doing very well.
Have you spoken to Ter Stegen, or has he told you anything?
Of course I have spoken to him. That is my job, but it is something between him and me.
Rashford changed the game against Eintracht. How do you assess his season?
I can say that Marcus is a great professional. In principle, we have excellent players in his position. Rashford calls me “boss“, not “mister“. Basically that day (against Eintracht) he shouldn't have played (but he didn't get angry - ed) and told me that the important thing is to get the three points.
Do you understand the situation Xabi Alonso is in?
We're not focused on Real Madrid, but on Barca. And 100 percent.
When you follow what's happening with him, do you think that patience in football is short?
It's a cliché, it can be discussed a lot. I don't want to talk about Madrid, just about Barca.