Hansi Flick backs Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or contenders and trusts Champions League officials

Hansi Flick says Barcelona have players capable of winning the Ballon d’Or and believes his side possess the quality to lift the Champions League, while urging them to maintain their focus as they begin their European campaign.

“Every big club dreams of the Champions League because it is the biggest competition. We have the quality to win it, but the road is still long and we must prove our level in Europe as we do in La Liga,” Flick said at his pre-match news conference.

Barcelona’s German manager also stressed that the club’s ambitions extend beyond Europe, with a third successive La Liga title another of the team’s targets.

“That is also part of our dreams and our goals, and it would be a great achievement if we managed to do it,” he said.

Barcelona have made a strong start, recording four victories, although Flick warned that their early results did not mean the team had reached perfection.

Asked whether Rodri had a particular role in calming a young squad, Flick said responsibility could not rest with one player.

“It is about the whole team. Everyone is responsible for giving everything to the club every day. We have achieved four wins, and that is not easy, but it does not mean that everything is perfect,” he said.

Flick also delivered a clear message to members of his squad who have found themselves outside the starting line-up. He said players at a club with Barcelona’s quality could understandably be frustrated, but must continue to compete positively.

“It is normal for some players not to be happy with their position in a team of this quality. They have to prove every day that they are the best, remain positive and support their team-mates when their opportunity comes. I am the one who decides the line-up after daily discussions with the coaching staff,” Flick said.

Reflecting on his third year with the group, Flick described the team as united and said the standard of their performances was linked directly to their work on the training ground.

“I see great quality, a strong intensity and effective communication between the players. We must be united and fight together, and that is what is happening now. The level of the matches is a reflection of the quality of the training,” he said.

Flick rejected the idea of becoming involved in debates over refereeing decisions or players going down inside the penalty area. He said officials in Spain and Europe deserved support rather than criticism.

“That is not my job. The quality of refereeing is good in Spain and Europe, and their task is not easy. We have to trust them and support them, and I always try to remain calm,” he said.

The Barcelona manager reserved particular praise for Lamine Yamal, describing him as a player capable of deciding matches on his own while also carrying significant responsibility within the squad.

“He is a player who can decide matches by himself and he wants to improve day by day. I can see the amount of responsibility he carries as one of the team’s leaders. The most important thing is that he continues to enjoy football, because when he enjoys it, he is at his best,” Flick said.

On striker Gordon, Flick acknowledged that the forward had missed some chances but highlighted his contribution in creating goals and defending.

“As a striker, he always wants to score. He has missed some chances, but he creates goals and that is very important. I am confident the goals will come, and I am happy with what he is providing defensively and offensively,” he said.

Flick added that Barcelona would adjust their approach in the Champions League depending on the opposition, despite having a style that had worked successfully over the previous two years.

“We are always adapting according to the opponent. We have our idea, which has been very successful over the past two years, but we may change it when necessary. In the big moments, we need all the players to be at their best,” he said.

Asked about the Ballon d’Or debate, after Luis Enrique and Mourinho backed their own players and Mbappe said he deserved the award, Flick was reluctant to campaign for an individual.

“Of course, we have many great players, and I would be very happy if one of them won the Ballon d’Or. We will see what happens,” he said.

“It is not my job to campaign for one particular player, but I see that we have enormous quality.”

He added: “For me, it is not only about quality, but also about the behaviour and mentality the players show every day. So yes, I have several players in the team who are capable of winning the Ballon d’Or.”