FC Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has admitted his side are going through a difficult moment as they prepare to face Olympiacos at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Tuesday night in a key Champions League encounter.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Monday, as revealed in a video uploaded via the team’s official X account, Flick didn’t hide the strain the squad is under. Softfootball repofrts that despite revealing this information, his tone carried defiance rather than defeat.
He said:
We’re at a difficult moment, with a lot of injured players and others who have returned but are still not at 100%. Nevertheless, our goal is always the same: to fight until the end, give everything, win, and take all three points, Right now it’s a complicated situation, and that’s why the three points against Girona were so important.
But the team is doing well, in great spirits, and I like the atmosphere. We have a young team and we needed that. We’ve analysed the match and we know we need to position ourselves better, run more, and press better.
Watch the video below:
The injury situation at Barça has worsened over the past week. Robert Lewandowski is the latest casualty, ruled out for at least a month after playing through pain for Poland. Flick came to his defence. Lamine Yamal and Fermín López have both returned from knocks but are unlikely to be ready for a full 90 minutes, while Ferran Torres and Raphinha are still sidelined. The hope is that one or both may recover in time for El Clásico against Real Madrid on October 26.
Flick Said:
We hope Ferran and Raphinha can be available for El Clásico, we’ll have to take it slowly. We need to minimise risks, and playing Ferran tomorrow would be too much of a risk.
Despite the setbacks, Flick was keen to point out positives. He said the mood in the dressing room remains great, especially after the 3–1 victory over Girona, which offered a much-needed boost, the German coach explained, noting that fine margins still make the difference at this level. Elsewhere, after a few days of controversy surrounding his red card against Girona, Flick didn’t hesitate to show his affection for the club.
Looking ahead, Flick described Olympiacos as a dangerous and well-organised opponent. The game could see more La Masia players involved, something the coach fully embraces.
He revealed:
Olympiacos are good going forward and we’ll need to pay attention to their attackers: they have a clear game plan and it will be very difficult.
I’m not nervous. It’s true that I show my emotions more than before, but this Club has completely changed me. Maybe I should control my impulses, but I love Barça, Barcelona, and its people, and that’s why I always give my all.
For a team stretched thin but still pushing forward, that emotional connection might just be the energy Barcelona need to carry them through another European night.
