Flick talks Pedri, Olmo, Yamal after Girona 1-4 Barcelona – ‘He made the difference’

Hansi Flick’s dream start to life as the manager of FC Barcelona continued last evening as they beat local rivals Girona 4-1 away at Estadi Montilivi.

It was a stern test for the Blaugrana considering that they had lost both their matches against Girona last season.

But, Flick’s team made it look easy on Sunday as Lamine Yamal handed them a two-goal advantage with two brilliant strikes within seven minutes after the half-hour mark.

Early in the second period, Dani Olmo scored his third goal in as many games to make it 3-0 before Pedri added a fourth to heap more misery on Girona, who saw Cristhian Stuani score a consolation goal later on.

Flick not getting carried away

Following the match, Hansi Flick spoke to the media and it was clear from his words that the German tactician was not getting carried away by the excellent start to the season Barcelona have made.

“The season has just started. We played very well, focused, concentrated. We pressed very well. The first goal was incredible. We deserved to win. It was a tough game. Girona play very well, but we started very well and I think we deserved the win,” said Flick.

It was especially important not to drop the level after the international break for the German tactician, as he said: “I told the team how important it was for them to continue on the same path as before the international break, and the lads responded brilliantly.”

Asked about Barça’s superb form, Hansi was keen to play down the euphoria and pointed out that it is forbidden to relax in the slightest.

“We have trained very hard, we prepare well for every game. We have to take it step by step, game by game, but we want to win. We are in a good moment and we have to keep going. We can’t stop,” he said.

“In the first few minutes you could see that we are a compact team. We have confidence in ourselves. We did well. We had chances today to score one or two more goals. I’m very happy with the way the team played,” Flick added.

Praise for Lamine Yamal, Pedri

Yamal walked away with another MVP performance on Sunday and manager Flick spoke highly of the 17-year-old Barcelona wonderkid, saying:

“He made the difference, he presses very well and that’s very important. It’s important that everyone presses up top. That combination of talent and pressure is very good for us. Lamine played very well and we finished the chances we had well.”

The manager also spoke about Pedri celebrating his goal with him on the touchline, saying:

“If he wants to play, he should celebrate with me (laughs). He told me he was going to score a goal today and that’s why he came to find me in celebration.”

Praising the team for the efforts and intensity shown on the field, the German added: “We are a team, and that’s what I wanted. When you put pressure on the opposition it’s easier to play for the defenders. I’m happy with the way they press and find the spaces.

“We spoke at half-time and discussed it. I’m very happy with the team, the way they train, the way they play… and you can see that. I hope they continue in this vein. The objective is to maintain that intensity.”

Flick also commented on the injury sustained by new signing Dani Olmo on the evening, as he said: “We have to wait until tomorrow with Olmo. The doctors will analyse him and we’ll see, we hope it’s nothing important. But I can’t say anything yet.”

On the refereeing

The Barcelona manager was also asked what he thought of the level of referees in La Liga, to which Flick responded elegantly and avoiding any controversy, as he said:

“The referees are good, I focus on my team. If something happens, there is the video refereeing. I don’t look for excuses in the referees. I think they have done a good job in the five matches.”

Source: SPORT