Flick praises Barcelona’s display as Raphinha hat-trick seals 7-2 win

Hans Flick praised Barcelona’s performance after they extended their winning run with a 7-2 victory over Racing Santander, but warned his players to remain focused despite making the best start in the club’s history.

Raphinha scored a hat-trick to take his La Liga tally to nine goals, while Joao Cancelo scored twice and Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal were also on target. Maget Joue and Yasser Zabiri replied for Racing.

“I like the way we play, as well as the result and the three points,” Barcelona manager Flick said at his post-match news conference. “I can say that I am happy, and the team is happy.”

The result gave Barcelona a seventh consecutive win and moved them to 18 points at the top of La Liga. Racing Santander remain on seven points in 10th place.

Barcelona have scored 27 goals in their opening six matches of a La Liga season for the first time since Sevilla scored 32 in 1940-41.

“It is always positive to have a good start,” Flick said. “The most important thing is to finish the season well, and that is what we are working towards. We are in a good moment and we have to make the most of it.

“I understand the excitement, of course, but we have only played six rounds. The important thing is to stay focused on the next match, rather than on things that might happen at the end of the season.”

Flick also praised Racing’s approach, despite the heavy defeat.

“They play good football and like to have possession,” he said. “In some situations it was not easy, but in the end I think we deserved this result.”

The Barcelona manager was pleased with the way his side responded when they lost the ball.

“This is our mentality; we want to play this way,” he added. “I told the players that when we lose the ball, we have to press together. They did that, and it is good to see.”

On Wojciech Szczesny’s error, Flick said: “Everyone makes mistakes. When a goalkeeper makes one, it usually results in a goal. Next time he has to perform better, but that is football.”

Szczesny started in place of Joan Garcia, who will undergo further tests after experiencing knee pain. Flick said Garcia could still be available for the next match against Sevilla.

Flick was also impressed by Karim Adeyemi, saying the forward “has huge potential” and would improve as he adapted to Barcelona’s ideas and style.

“He gives us a lot, and you can see that in three or four situations,” Flick said. “All Barcelona supporters are behind him, and I am happy for him. His time in Germany was not easy. He is an enjoyable player, his team-mates like him and he is a good person. He gives everything, and that is important. We will work to develop him.”

“Adeyemi’s speed is incredible,” Flick added. “For Lamine Yamal’s goal, he was outstanding.”

Flick has won 77% of his 124 official matches with Barcelona, recording 95 victories. That is the best win rate for a Barcelona manager in the 21st century, ahead of Luis Enrique’s 76%.

Raphinha has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season, the most among players from clubs in Europe’s five major leagues.