Barcelona supervisor Hansi Flick addressed quite a few subjects forward of their Copa del Rey quarter-final conflict with Valencia. The headline of the press convention was his response to Actual Madrid’s letter to the RFEF about referees, however Flick additionally defined his pondering on a number of choice dilemmas.
Present first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny acquired his probability within the Copa del Rey initially, and Flick was requested whether or not Inaki Pena, now quantity two, would return for the cup competitors.
“Tek is primary. It’s clear,” he informed the press, and was later requested what made Szczesny his primary.
“I perceive that you simply examine two gamers. Inaki is a unbelievable goalkeeper, however we’ve chosen Tek for his character and his type. He’s doing properly. They’re each nice goalkeepers, as are our younger abilities. The choice is what we’ve made and we’ve to keep it up. We all the time resolve for the great of the group and that’s how I wish to do it.”
Ramón Planes (Al-Ittihad sporting director): “Frenkie de Jong? He’s very joyful at Barcelona, he has tailored and it is going to be troublesome for him to alter golf equipment.” @partidazocope
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 5, 2025
Flick confirmed reviews that Dani Olmo could be coming back from harm in opposition to Los Che, however dominated Gavi out of competition, as he continues his restoration from a head trauma on Sunday.
“Dani is an choice for the second half, for Gavi there’s a protocol and it’s not an choice for tomorrow. In the present day he skilled on the sidelines and it’s good to do that as a result of the blow was very laborious, additionally for the opponent who had an harm.”
“Dani has proven in lots of video games how essential he’s for us. He scores targets, he is aware of methods to maintain the ball. You will need to have gamers like him within the group, however we’ve to handle him. He has been injured lots, however we additionally must make him play. We have now to watch out, know his emotions to adapt. He is essential for us.”
Barcelona thumped Valencia 7-1 in a gathering simply over every week in the past at Montjuic, however Flick stated he was anticipating a troublesome and totally different recreation at Mestalla, partially because of the environment. Their first recreation in Valencia was a good affair, however Flick didn’t rule out rotations both.
“It’s regular that we take into consideration rotations. We play at 9:30 p.m. and we will be unable to journey again from Valencia, which can imply that we’ll arrive late, at three or 4 within the morning. Then we’ve a recreation in Seville and we’ve to consider the gamers. There could also be rotations.”
With Frenkie de Jong changing Marc Casado at half-time in opposition to Alaves, and altering the sport in Barcelona’s favour, Flick was requested about what the Dutchman might deliver to them.
“You all the time examine gamers by place, however that doesn’t work like that. We have now a recreation tomorrow and one other Sunday. We’ll arrive at daybreak and I would like all of the gamers. I’m joyful to have choices. Frenkie is a good participant, however so is Casado. It doesn’t matter who I select, the essential factor is the group.”