Flick: “I see the hunger in my players, they always want more”

Hansi Flick was pleased with Barcelona’s result and goals, but he placed even greater emphasis on what he saw as the team’s ambition. “I see the hunger in my players, they always want more, including the world champions,” he said after the match at Mestalla.

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I see the hunger in my players, they always want more, including the world champions.

Flick described the game as fantastic while stressing that Barcelona remained at the beginning of a long road. He said he was particularly happy with a young squad that had been strengthened by major signings. Competition within the team, he added, was intense because every player wanted to be selected.

The coach pointed to Dani Olmo as an example. Olmo was unhappy when he did not start, Flick said, but performed very well after coming on. “I always make decisions in the interests of the team,” he said.

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I always make decisions in the interests of the team.

Flick also welcomed Rodri’s first start and praised his contribution with and without the ball. He called him a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room, while also emphasizing the importance of Marc Bernal. Pedri said playing alongside Rodri felt comfortable because he rarely lost possession and predicted that their understanding would improve.

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It is very comfortable to play with Rodri. He hardly ever loses the ball, and we will understand each other better and better.

Pedri also rejected concerns about Barcelona’s ability to score, saying the team had many players capable of finding the net rather than relying on one striker to score 40 goals. Flick praised Fermín’s energy, pressing and movement from box to box, while noting that the young midfielder sometimes needed to control the ball better. Gerard Martín said another clean sheet showed the team remained focused and had not relaxed.

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Having kept another clean sheet shows that we are very focused and have not relaxed.