Hansi Flick: 'We want to show we're strong'

From one competition straight into another. After the superlative victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup there has been practically no time to rest, with a midweek game at home to Betis in the Copa del Rey (Wednesday 9pm CET). On Tuesday morning, Hansi Flick was in the pressroom to talk all about it.

"We need to show that we're fine, strong, and that we want to carry on winning" he said, referring to how the team has clearly bounced back from a run of disappointing results in late 2024.

"Sunday's final against Madrid and the way we won it have given us the confidence to take on any challenge. The most important thing is for the players to believe that, and to have the mentality that being a compact team requires."

Naming names

Flick discussed a number of individuals doing his conference, including Iñigo Martinez who he confirmed is injured and described as "a big loss although luckily he's only out for a few weeks."

This might mean a chance for Ronald Araujo on whom Flick had no interest in discussing the future. "He is a Barça player and nothing has changed" he insisted. "He is important to us, he's performing well and he's a great centre back, a team leader. 

The coach also confirmed that Andreas Christensen will not be playing, but could well be ready to feature against Getafe at the weekend.

He ended with praise for Szczesny and Iñaki Peña, who both made important contributions to the Super Cup win. He said the former "showed us what a top class goalkeeper he is" and commended the latter on a fine performance despite conceding a goal just moments after coming on as a replacement for the red-carded Pole.

All in all, these are happy days at Barça, and Flick concluded the session by saying that "we are a big family that anybody would feel proud to be part of."