The FC Barcelona coach, HansiFlick, confirmed in the press conference prior to the match against Alavés that the club is considering signing a central defender in the next winter market. As the coach explained, the decision is based on the constant search for improvement of the squad and the need to strengthen the defensive zone. "We always talk about what is best for the team and how we can improve it. It is something we are doing. We will see. We have a few weeks left until the market opens. We have discussed with Deco and Bojan and my staff. It is the way we do it. If it is possible, we will do it," said Flick.
Barça has already begun to track down possible candidates, although the choice of profile will depend on economic conditions and the availability of players on the market. The club will evaluate the possibility of acquiring a center back that fits both the tactical demands and the financial capacity of the club, and will remain attentive to the departures of other teams that could generate transfer opportunities.
At the same moment, Flick tried to dissipate the pressure generated by the streak of two consecutive defeats, both against PSG and Real Madrid. "As I always said, it's a long road until the end of the season, when you can win titles. Nothing bad has happened. We lost against Madrid, nobody liked it. But in the end, we have to deal with it. It was possible to win the game, we had great chances. We have to accept the defeat and learn from it," said the coach. He reiterated that the squad has several quality defensive players, including Jules, Xavi Espart, DaniOlmo, Eric and Christensen, and that it is necessary to find solutions to improve solidity in the defensive zone.
For tomorrow's match, Flick stressed that the main objective is to get the three points. "It's not easy, we have to find solutions. We have tried to do our best. For tomorrow, it is clear: the most important thing is to get the three points," he added. Furthermore, he did not rule out the possibility that Frenkie deJong could play the role of center back in the match against Alavés, since the club has only two natural center backs, Cubarsí and GerardMartín, and needs to have alternatives in case the starters are not available.
With the winter market just around the corner, FC Barcelona will continue evaluating its options to strengthen its defense. Meanwhile, the team is preparing for the duel against Alavés with the intention of recovering from recent defeats and advancing in the fight for titles.