Hansi Flick talks Gavi, Lamine, Frenkie de Jong, Araujo ahead of Barcelona vs Las Palmas | OneFootball

After two games without a win in La Liga, Barcelona will be eager to correct course when they host UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday afternoon.

The loss to Real Sociedad and the 2-2 draw vs Celta Vigo have allowed Real Madrid to close the gap to the top to just four points with the reigning champions even having a game in hand.

As such, Barcelona cannot afford another slip-up and must carry the momentum forward from their midweek win over Brest in the UEFA Champions League.

The Blaugrana head coach Hansi Flick appeared in front of the media today for his pre-match press conference and discussed various aspects related to the team ahead of tomorrow’s showdown against Las Palmas.

Team news

Looking forward to the contest, the German tactician gave an insight into the team’s morale, saying:

“In training, you could see how the team is coming along well and we have players coming back, we have a good situation.”

Speaking further, Flick confirmed that key winger Lamine Yamal is fully fit and available for selection after missing the last three matches due to an injury.

“He is back and ready to play, we haven’t decided if he will start, I think he can and will play,” he said.

With Marc Casado absent due to suspension, Flick was asked whether Gavi could be in line to replace the La Masia graduate. In response, the manager praised the young midfield ace while hinting that he may start tomorrow.

“After a very long injury, it’s not easy to come back. He is on the right track. There is no doubt that he is 100 per cent fit. He is young, with a lot of potential. Today, in training, I was very satisfied with what I saw. I hope he’ll be happy to know he’s going to play.”

Issuing an update on the condition of Ronald Araujo, he added: “He’s already training, he’s getting better every day. And at a higher intensity. I wouldn’t say a specific date, but he’s very close to playing matches again.”

With two tricky away trips next week against Mallorca and Real Betis, Flick was asked if he plans to rotate his troops tomorrow, to which he replied:

“I think I speak for the whole team when I say that the best thing to win today is tomorrow’s game. We don’t care what happens next Tuesday or in Dortmund. What concerns us and occupies us is tomorrow’s game.

“We want to build on what we saw against Brest. We want to show this, also to the fans. Tomorrow the best players will play, and those who are the best.”

On Frenkie de Jong’s situation

Under pressure. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

There has been a lot said about Frenkie de Jong and his situation as he has found it tough to break into the team after returning from injury. Discussing the Dutchman’s predicament in detail, the manager explained:

“For me he was injured and now he is progressing and personally, three or four weeks ago when he started playing he was in another mentality.

“We are supporting him and in the centre we have a lot of midfielders so I have to decide that the players are at 100% and I will come back to him when he is, the situation is that he has minutes and he is progressing.”

On being asked if the issue with the Netherlands international is physical or mental, Flick replied:

“He’s been through a long injury, he took a good knock. In the one-on-one he took it. And that needs to be managed. Now he needs to regain his confidence, and I know it’s very important for him to have minutes.

“Now we analyse each match, and what is important is to win. And I want the best possible team tomorrow, and that’s how we make decisions. And this is the reason why maybe he doesn’t get as many minutes as he would want, or we would want.”

Regarding De Jong being whistled at by fans during the Brest game, he added: “It’s clear to me, I like the fans to support all the players. The fans are fantastic, by the way. We have a very good connection between the fans and the players.

“When the players give their all, the fans see it. The perfect scenario, for me, would be for all the players to have the support of the fans.”

On the club’s 125th anniversary

Barcelona are celebrating their 125th anniversary today and there will be a huge celebration later today, with Flick confirming that the squad and the staff will be present.

On being asked about his best memories of Barça, the manager said: “I don’t know if this is the right time to talk about this. It’s an honour to be Barça’s coach.

“I know the history of this wonderful club very well. Today we will be at the celebration and we will feel this emotion. Tomorrow I will be able to explain it to you.”

Further paying tribute to the club and the La Masia academy, Flick added: “I think this is a fantastic club. Incredible. Since I arrived I said so, and I’ve been very impressed. I really like that we work with a lot of freedom, we do everything we need to do.

“It’s a very positive scenario. Also when I walk through the streets of Barcelona, the way he treats me and the way he talks to me is very friendly. In reference to me, to my team. It is a great pleasure to work for this club. It is ‘Més que un club’, this I reaffirm.”

On whether he has any information about the potential return date to Spotify Camp Nou, the German tactician responded:

“I don’t have any information on when we can return, I am focused on training the team and preparing for all the games.

“This is like building a house, the builders don’t tell you an exact date. Sometimes the works can be delayed for months. I don’t pay much attention to this, when the club tells us that we can come back, we will come back.”

Flick was also asked about the plight of other big clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, with the two teams performing disappointingly in recent games.

“I always say that I concentrate on my team, on my club. I’m not interested in what happens at other clubs, they have their problems, but I’m not the one who can make this analysis,” he said.

“I wish the best, especially to Pep, and I hope that the following games go better for him. I wish him all the best.”

Source: SPORT