Flick talks Ansu, Araujo, De Jong, Raphinha, Gavi, suspension ahead of Barcelona vs Leganes

Barcelona will be eager to get back to winning ways in La Liga when they host CD Leganes at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday.

The Blaugrana were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Betis in their previous league encounter. Following that, Hansi Flick’s men bounced back and defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League and will want to build on that momentum.

On the eve of the match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who has been hit with a two-match suspension for his red card vs Betis, spoke to the media and discussed various matters, including his sending-off.

On the team

To kick things off, the German tactician touched upon how his team are approaching the Leganes match tomorrow, saying:

“I’ve told the team that we have to play with one hundred per cent concentration. It’s up to us, they will try to get points. We have to play our game. It’s up to us.”

Confirming two fitness boosts tomorrow, Flick revealed that Ronald Araujo is ready to play and Ansu Fati is also set to return, saying:

“It’s normal after an injury you need some time before returning to the highest level. Ansu has trained with the team. Araujo can play, it’s a step forward. He is in good shape. All the physical work is very good.”

When asked if Araujo will start tomorrow, Flick was coy in his reply, saying: “The plan is that he can play for a few minutes, I don’t know if it’s a starting position. I don’t know how many. Maybe he’ll be in the starting eleven. He’s ready.”

On whether he plans to rotate his troops keeping in mind next week’s match against Atletico Madrid, Flick replied:

“Leganes is tomorrow and we don’t think about Atletico. The issue is to decide on the same team, but also players who can play refreshment. It can be.”

Frenkie de Jong’s recent cameos have seen him play as more of an attacking midfielder and Flick was asked if that is where the Dutchman will continue to operate hereon.

“I tell the players that I don’t think about individuality. We won in Dortmund, important points… It’s not about protecting him. He knows what he has to do. We have to give support and he can help us,” replied the manager.

On being asked if he speaks a lot to the Netherlands international to help him, the Barcelona head coach said:

“What is important for injuries is that they are perfectly recoverable. I hope he recovers his rhythm. It’s not only him, it’s Gavi, it’s Araujo… We take care of the players, we protect them. They give their best to be professionals.”

On whether he plans to rest Raphinha tomorrow, Flick responded: “I haven’t spoken to him. Today is his birthday and I have seen him very fresh. I will talk to him tomorrow, I haven’t made the decision yet.”

On his red card vs Real Betis

The chat then veered towards his red card against Real Betis last week and the 59-year-old tactician explained in detail what went down.

“My reaction was clearly not exaggerated. I tried to talk to Frenkie. There was a thing between Inigo and Vitor Roque. I don’t want us to complain to the referees. I don’t want to waste energy on this that we can’t change. We have to accept the decisions,” he said.

“It was a hard blow, but we have to accept it. Maybe I need to work on my behaviour. All I ask is that they always whistle the same way, in the same way. But we must play better. What I want, and they do, is not to complain to the referees,” Flick added.

“It’s different from a few years ago. Our philosophy is to do what we can do. Also the referees can improve. They are human beings and they make mistakes.”

Talking about the man who will take charge of the team from the sidelines in his absence, Marcus Sorg, Flick said:

“We have a good communication. He has a lot of experience and he is doing very well here. He knows a lot about football and he has quality.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo