Flick demands Barcelona cut out costly errors before Alaves test

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says his side must improve defensively and reduce their mistakes in possession when they face Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Saturday, 31 October 2026.

Barcelona have only two recognised central defenders available in Gerard and Pau Cubarsi, but Flick believes Frenkie de Jong can provide an alternative in the position if required.

“We have to deal with these circumstances,” Flick said at his pre-match news conference. “We only have two central defenders, Gerard and Cubarsi, so it is important to find another solution. That is what we are trying to do, and Frenkie can also play in this position.

“As for Balde, perhaps he does not currently have the confidence he needs to produce his usual level or to carry out the style of football we use. He needs to regain that confidence.”

Flick described De Jong as a key player for Barcelona and praised both his ability on the ball and his defensive contribution.

“For me, Frenkie is a very important player,” the German said. “When he is fully fit, he is an amazing player. He has enormous quality when dealing with the ball and also helps us a lot defensively when he has the right mentality.

“He is a great player for me and raises the level of the team.”

Flick also suggested that Farinas could be considered at full-back. The player has trained with the first team since the start of the season and may now be in line for an opportunity.

“He could be one of the options to play in that position,” Flick said. “He is a very intelligent player, has been training with us since the beginning of the season and is doing an excellent job. He deserves to get a chance to play.”

The Barcelona manager said better control of possession would be central to his team’s response after their most recent defeat in El Clasico.

“I want the team to control the match, reduce the loss of possession that happened in El Clasico and keep the ball for longer periods,” he said. “That is the key. When you control the game, you can decide how to move the ball and impose greater control on the opposition.

“It is important not to lose the ball, otherwise we have to run to win it back. We need to improve in these areas, and Rodri is right about that.”

Flick also discussed Tonkara, who has been seeing more involvement with the senior team. He said the player had featured for Barca Atletic and impressed during pre-season.

“He played a few minutes with Barca Atletic and completed pre-season with us,” Flick said. “I really liked what I saw from him. Everything is possible.”

Barcelona have lost their past two matches, but Flick said the squad had enjoyed a positive week of training and expected a strong response against Deportivo Alaves.

“It has been a good week,” he said. “We do not know how things will go in the next matches, but everyone must focus tomorrow. We want to show the right reaction, and that is what I expect from the team.

“We have suffered two defeats, but the team plays good football. We believe in our strength and quality.”

Flick added that Barcelona would have to show that positive mood against an Alaves side he expects to defend well.

“We had a very good training session today, and I feel the atmosphere within the team is positive,” he said. “We must prove that tomorrow against Alaves, a team that knows how to defend very well. But we are Barcelona and want to show the best version of ourselves.”