Barcelona coach, HansiFlick, opened his press conference before the LaLiga match against Alavés, which will be played on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. at the Camp Nou. In the session, Flick explained the team's situation after two consecutive defeats and reaffirmed his confidence in the squad and in the game idea that has been worked on.
Flick recalled that Barça has won its first eleven games of the season, but that the last two defeats must be recovered. “Nothing has changed, I remain convinced of our way of playing and the mentality of the players,” he stated. He commented that the conversation with the president and with Deco has given him peace of mind and that the objective is to win again, “it is our job.” In relation to defense, the coach pointed out that the midfield will continue to be a key point and that the position of the center backs is being managed, highlighting Gerard Piqué and the arrival of Frenkie de Jong as options.
Regarding the squad, Flick spoke of the need to have players who provide confidence and pressure on the sides. He mentioned Brian Fariñas as an alternative for the right back and praised his intelligence and his work in training. He also spoke about the possibility that EbrimaTunkara, who has been recovering from an injury and has played minutes with Barça Atlètic, could make his debut in the first team. “Anything can happen,” he added.
The coach also addressed the issue of collective defense, emphasizing that “defending is not just a job for the defenders, everyone is involved.” He pointed out that the team has made mistakes that are easy to avoid, especially against Real Madrid, and that concentration and defensive discipline must be improved. Regarding signings, Flick recalled that the market remains open and that options will continue to be evaluated, especially to reinforce the central zone.
Finally, Flick expressed his concern about the train accident that has affected several people in the area and sent his condolences to the families. At the press conference it was confirmed that the French full-back Koundé will not train this morning and will not be available for the match, while the reserve team's full-back Guillem Víctor could be included in the squad. Barça Atlètic also trained EbrimaTunkara, Àlex Campos and goalkeeper MaxBonfill, suggesting that the coaching staff is preparing the squad for the match against Alavés.