Flick trusts the refereeing ahead of El Clasico against Real Madrid
At the Camp Nou, Hansi Flick presented himself to the media on the eve of El Clásico, with his eyes on the Sunday showdown at 21:00 against Real Madrid, a match that, according to him, could decide half of the league title.
Everyone has their eyes on this match. The Barcelona coach exuded calm, reminding that the three points are important, but that the game goes beyond the standings. He added that it is fantastic to be part of this moment and that his team knows how it wants to play.
Confidence in the refereeing
Flick emphasized his faith in the referees: “I trust them, we have quality refereeing”. He assured that the direction of the refereeing will not affect the match and that each player must protect his teammates. He stressed the need to respect the decisions of the officiating body.
Regarding the opponent, the German manager described Real Madrid as a club with great history, quality players and a distinguished coach. “We expect a team with a lot of confidence, especially up front, and they have played well in recent matches”, he said.
When asked about José Mourinho, Flick expressed great respect: “I have a lot of respect for him. I visited him and the German players who worked with him speak marvelously. He is a colleague and a great teammate”.
Lessons from the defeat in Paris
The coach did not shy away from analysing the recent European defeat at the Parc des Princes. He acknowledged that there are aspects to improve and that the team must grow. “Tomorrow we play against one of the best in the world and it is an opportunity to grow”, he said.
Regarding aerial play, Flick noted that Real Madrid is strong on set pieces. “We have discussed and prepared it; we must defend better than in Paris”. He highlighted the importance of defensive organization in those situations.
In the injury list, he confirmed that Jules Koundé will not be available and that Dani Olmo, although he was at 100 %, will also not play. He also mentioned Fermín as absent, describing the situation as complicated for the team.
To stop Kylian Mbappé and the white attack, Flick emphasized positioning and defensive compactness. “Cubarsí and Gerard are very good; if we position well with and without the ball, defending will be easier”, he concluded, highlighting the development of the central defensive pair.