Flick talks Olmo, Pedri, Roque, Bellingham, Benfica ahead of Las Palmas vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Flick talks Olmo, Pedri, Roque, Bellingham, Benfica ahead of Las Palmas vs Barcelona | OneFootball

In partnership with

Yahoo sports
Icon: Barca Universal

Barca Universal

·21 de febrero de 2025

Flick talks Olmo, Pedri, Roque, Bellingham, Benfica ahead of Las Palmas vs Barcelona

Imagen del artículo:Flick talks Olmo, Pedri, Roque, Bellingham, Benfica ahead of Las Palmas vs Barcelona

Having become the leaders of La Liga, FC Barcelona will be aiming to open up a lead at the top when they take on Las Palmas away at Gran Canaria on Saturday night.

The Blaugrana moved to the top of the table, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, after defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 this past Monday.


OneFootball Videos


With Los Blancos not in action until Sunday, Barça have a great chance to create a gap and put pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Ahead of the trip to the Canary Islands, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the media, discussing various topics, including the UEFA Champions League draw which pits them against Benfica in the Round of 16.

On the game and the draw

Kicking things off, though, the German tactician spoke about the challenges of facing Las Palmas, saying:

“It was a very difficult game at home and we are focused on being prepared and showing our strength. It’s a match that will decide the championship.”

Quickly moving to the draw against Benfica, he noted: “It’s a difficult game because they are playing very well. No opponent will be easy to beat at this stage: at this point, it’s difficult for everyone: it will be complicated.”

Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid next week in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. Keeping that in mind, Flick was asked if he plans to make rotations for tomorrow’s match, to which he replied:

“We will train today and decide later. We always focus on the next game but we have to think about Atletico as well, but the most important game now is against Las Palmas.”

On whether Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid facing off in the Champions League Round of 16 could end up as an advantage for Barcelona, Flick remarked:

“Of course, Madrid are a very strong team, one of the best teams, and they have the squad to manage their games. For us, it is important to show our quality in every game and we are currently in a great moment but there is still a long way to go.”

Imagen del artículo:Flick talks Olmo, Pedri, Roque, Bellingham, Benfica ahead of Las Palmas vs Barcelona

Taking it step by step. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

On being asked about the possibility of facing off against Real Madrid in the finals in Munich, Flick said:

“First of all you have to reach the final, that’s the first objective and the opponent doesn’t matter to me. First, you have to play against a very good team like Benfica.”

On the team and players

Flick also touched upon the situation of Vitor Roque, currently on loan at Real Betis from Barcelona, with the forward attracting interest from Palmeiras.

“It’s not my job, I take care of my players and he decided to leave. If something has to change it’s up to Deco,” the German replied bluntly.

The Barça boss also confirmed that they will put a plan in place for Dani Olmo, similar to that of Pedri, to help him avoid injuries, saying:

“Yes, we are thinking about this. Last season he got injured and we have to take precautions and we are planning to do the same as with Pedri, yes.”

Discussing the imbalance of minutes between his regular starters and fringe players, Flick remarked:

“All the players in the team are in good physical shape, but we have to think not only about this match, but also about the next ones, and then the international matches.

“We have that in mind, the data of the players, and it’s our job. Maybe we allow two players to rest and others to play. We have players at a very high level.”

The Barcelona head coach warned that Las Palmas are still a dangerous team even though they are close to the bottom of the table, while also sending a message to their captain Kirian Rodriguez, who recently confirmed his cancer relapse.

“They showed at our home ground that they are a great team and that they know how to play. They’ve not had such good results, they’ve got injuries,” Flick said.

“We are all thinking about Kirian and we wish him the best because health is the most important thing we have,” he added.

Imagen del artículo:Flick talks Olmo, Pedri, Roque, Bellingham, Benfica ahead of Las Palmas vs Barcelona

Staying grounded amid treble talks. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Flick was also asked about Barcelona’s chances of winning the treble this season, with the club doing well in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. In response, he said:

“It’s not easy at all. It’s very difficult but there are no excuses, we have to do our best and when you see the quality of the other teams it’s incredible.

“This is football and it’s good for everyone to play these games at the highest level. And that’s why we play and try hard: it’s good to see this level.”

On the refereeing controversies

Sympathising with referees, who have come under intense scrutiny and pressure in recent weeks, Flick remarked:

“In this competition, it is also important to think about the referees and their families: we all make mistakes. The responsibility of the players and coaches is to protect them. I don’t like what is happening.

“The referees make their decisions but they have the VAR. You have to trust the referees and the Federation has to show them support. They have to be protected, we have to change.”

Further defending the referees, he added: “We always try to find excuses: if we lose it’s the referees’ fault but it’s not like that. We can all make mistakes, they can make mistakes too.

“But we have to protect them: we can’t play without referees. We have to protect them and maybe we have to play better to be able to win.”

Regarding Jude Bellingham and his two-match suspension for arguing with and disrespecting the referee, he said:

“I have nothing to say about it. Bellingham is a great player, the other things have nothing to do with my players. I just hope my team plays the way I want them to play, that’s all I want to see.”

Source: SPORT

Ver detalles de la publicación