Flick stands firm at Barcelona and raises Raphinha workload concern

Hansi Flick has rejected suggestions that Barcelona’s project is in danger after successive defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, insisting he remains convinced by his methods and believes the team can return to winning ways.

Barcelona began the season with 11 consecutive victories in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, but lost two of their most significant matches within a week. They were beaten by European champions Paris Saint-Germain before suffering defeat by their traditional rivals and direct title competitors Real Madrid.

Flick’s side host Deportivo Alaves on Saturday, with the manager also having to cope with a lengthy list of absentees.

“​​As I have always said, we are on a very long journey and nothing is impossible to repair,” Flick told his pre-match news conference, according to Spanish newspaper AS. “We lost to Real Madrid and nobody likes losing, but we have to deal with it. I think we could have won that match and we had chances, but we must accept the defeat and learn from it.”

Jules Kounde will miss the match, while Xavi Espart, Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen are also unavailable.

“It is not easy to deal with all these absences, and we have to find solutions,” Flick said. “For tomorrow’s match, it is clear for us: the most important thing is to take the three points.”

Flick welcomes Laporta backing

Flick also addressed Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s renewed support for him, saying his relationship with the club’s leadership remained normal and that the gesture would not alter his approach.

“I spoke with the president and with Deco, and of course everything is fine,” he said. “It is a good gesture, but I know the situation. I know we lost two very important matches in one week, but I am doing my job in the best way possible.”

He added: “Nothing has changed, and I have not lost even a little of my enthusiasm for coaching this wonderful team. We won the first 11 matches and then suffered two defeats. We have to return to winning, because that is our job.”

The German coach said he had no intention of abandoning his footballing principles.

“I am convinced that our idea is the best for this team, and we will continue with it until the end,” he said. “We are all convinced of that.”

Raphinha fitness concern

Flick admitted he was unhappy about Raphinha repeatedly being called up by Brazil after the forward returned injured from the most recent international break.

“This is something I have also discussed with Deco,” he said. “Raphinha is a very important player for us and, after the last international break, he came back injured. This situation is certainly not the best for us, but that is how things are and there is nothing we can do about it.”

Flick acknowledged that Raphinha was both Barcelona’s captain and a Brazilian international.

“I know that Raphinha is our leader here and that the club is in his heart, but he is also Brazilian, and when the national team calls him, he is there,” he said. “Everybody wants to help the Brazil national team.”

He said he would prefer to have greater control over the player’s workload, noting that Raphinha’s return journey from Singapore was not ideal. The comments amount to an indirect appeal to Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti to manage Raphinha’s minutes.