Flick tells reporters: Ask me about Elche, not Mourinho

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick refused to be drawn into a discussion about Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid before his side’s La Liga meeting with Elche on Sunday.

Barcelona will play their first match of the new league season at Elche, after their scheduled opening fixture against Athletic Club was postponed. Elche, meanwhile, have already played once this campaign.

During his news conference on Saturday, Flick was asked about Real Madrid’s decision to appoint Mourinho and how he expected their season to develop under the Portuguese coach.

The question referred to the changes at Real Madrid during Flick’s three seasons in charge of Barcelona, during which his team have won the La Liga title in each of the past two campaigns.

A journalist told him: “During the three seasons you have been here, and with your team winning the La Liga title in the last two seasons, I have seen Real Madrid coached by Carlo Ancelotti, then Xabi Alonso, then Alvaro Arbeloa, and now the club have signed Mourinho as the final solution to face you. What are your expectations for Real Madrid with him?”

Flick gave a brief and firm response.

“Are we playing against Real Madrid tomorrow? No? So please ask me about Elche,” he said, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

The Barcelona manager then turned his attention to the immediate challenge facing his side, warning that they would need to perform at full intensity against opponents who have already begun their league campaign.

“It is our first match, while it will be their second. We will need to give 100% of our level. Anything less is not possible. It is important that we win tomorrow,” Flick said.

He also confirmed that Barcelona would have to manage the playing time of those who featured in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Egyptian club Al Ahly.

The match against Al Ahly was part of Barcelona’s recent preparations, and Flick indicated that players who completed the full 90 minutes would not be expected to play again immediately.

“It is normal that the players who played 90 minutes do not play. We have to manage it. It is not easy, but there are no excuses,” he said.

Flick also praised new arrival Rodri after the midfielder’s early days with Barcelona. The Germany coach said Rodri had already trained on the pitch and had made a positive impression inside the squad.

“He has also trained on the pitch. We are happy to have him here. It is great. He is a leader, and his personality is great,” Flick said.

The report also referred to Flick’s view of Hamza, describing the player as “great” but not his first choice, while noting that the question was a difficult one.

For now, however, Flick’s priority is Barcelona’s first league match of the season. His response to the question about Mourinho made clear that he does not want his team’s attention to move towards Real Madrid before the visit to Elche.