Hansi Flick talks Cubarsi, Lewandowski, Kounde, de Jong after Crvena Zvezda 2-5 Barcelona Hansi Flick entered the legendary “Little Maracana” with a confident smile, showing his familiarity with the intimidating setting. Having led Bayern to a memorable 6-0 win over Red Star back in 2019, Flick was no stranger to the challenges of this venue. Now at the helm of Barcelona, he was determined to lead his team to another victory. He had prepared his players thoroughly, urging them to press hard and seize control from the very start. The strategy paid off as Barcelona celebrated their seventh consecutive win and third in the Champions League campaign. Reflecting on the match, Flick focused on the significance of securing three valuable points. The Champions League, he acknowledged, is a tough competition, especially for teams playing away from home. “The most important thing is the three points. It is not easy to win away from home in this competition. The Champions League is difficult,” he began saying. Flick expressed his satisfaction with the way Barcelona controlled the game, praising his squad’s ball-handling skills and pressing tactics. It was clear that he valued the consistent improvements in their performance. “I am very happy, I really appreciate what we are doing. We were very good with the ball and we pressed a lot.” How is Pau Cubarsi? Flick confirmed that the youngster was recovering well and reassured that he is young and resilient, handling the injury with optimism. “Cubarsi is fine, he’s been given stitches, but he’s young. When you get older it’
s not good, but now it is. They gave him stitches,” he said. Flick also took the opportunity to congratulate Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice in the match, bringing him closer to a major career milestone with 99 Champions League goals. Flick humorously admitted that if he had realised Lewandowski was so close to his 100th goal, he might have left him on the pitch a bit longer One talking point of the night was young Pau Cubarsi, who suffered a minor injury that required stitches Jules Kounde emerged as another standout performer, delivering three vital assists that underlined his growth this season. Flick confirmed that the youngster was recovering well and reassured that he is young and resilient, handling the injury with optimism. “Cubarsi is fine, he’s been given stitches, but he’s young. When you get older it’s not good, but now it is. They gave him stitches,” he said. Flick also took the opportunity to congratulate Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice in the match, bringing him closer to a major career milestone with 99 Champions League goals. Flick humorously admitted that if he had realised Lewandowski was so close to his 100th goal, he might have left him on the pitch a bit longer Flick praised the Frenchman’s professionalism, noting how he has improved with each match and consistently demonstrated focus and dedication in both training and competition. According to Flick, Kounde serves as a role model for the entire squad, embodying the drive and commitment that the team needs. “He is a good example for the whole team. He is improving a lot this season. He is growing in each of his performances. He is a very professional footballer, always focused on matches and training. I appreciate that he has made these assists.” The match also saw Frenkie de Jong make his first start after seven months, which Flick deemed crucial for the team’s balance. De Jong, Flick noted, brought stability, linking the defence and attack effectively. This performance marked a promising step forward, showing Barcelona’s depth and readiness for the challenges ahead De Jong, Flick noted, brought stability, linking the defence and attack effectively. This performance marked a promising step forward, showing Barcelona’s depth and readiness for the challenges ahead. “It was important that he played. He gives stability between defence and attack,” concluded the manager The victory over Crvena Zvezda highlighted Hansi Flick’s tactical prowess and his ability to maximize his squad’s potential in crucial matches. Flick’s familiarity with European competitions and intense environments like the “Little Maracana” was evident in his approach to this game. His experience as a Champions League-winning manager with Bayern Munich has given him valuable insights, which he now brings to Barcelona’s storied European campaigns. Flick is known for emphasizing a meticulous, detail-oriented approach, drilling his players to maintain structure, press effectively, and hold onto possession—qualities that were on full display in this victory. ..Barcelona fans, buoyed by recent successes, are optimistic about the road ahead. With Flick at the helm, they hope that the team can not only secure more victories but also return to the era of dominance that once defined the club. For Flick, this journey is about building something lasting, creating a squad that embodies Barcelona’s ideals of skill, unity, and a relentless drive for excellence. This 5-2 victory over Crvena Zvezda marks another step forward, as Barcelona, under Flick’s guidance, aims to make this a season to remember