Barcelona will hope to return to winning ways on Monday when they face Girona in a Catalan derby. A victory would see the Blaugrana return to the top of La Liga, having abandoned that position when Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad on Saturday.
According to AS Journalhead coach Hansi Flick previewed the match in Montilivi, also answering questions about his team’s reaction to the crushing defeat against Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
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“Girona are a well-organized, courageous team that releases the ball well. It is important that we are more intense and have more dynamic than in previous matches.
“Today’s session was very good. I saw the confidence, we scored goals. We lost Thursday’s game… It was a lesson, but life goes on. We have to accept defeat and we have to concentrate and have confidence. We have a lot of quality and we can beat anyone. But if we are not concentrated, what happened in the first 45 minutes happens. Losing is allowed, getting up is obligatory.”
Flick: Raphinha available, Marcus Rashford excluded
Flick confirmed recent reports that Raphinha could face Gironaeven if he will not be able to count on his compatriot Marcus Rashford, still injured.
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“Rashford is out, even though he is better. Raphinha can play.”
Image via Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Flick spoke enthusiastically about Raphinha, who he hopes will make a big difference now that he is back available for Barcelona.
“Yes. He is an important player and we miss him. I see him in training. He is improving and always increasing the dynamic and the intensity and that is good to see. For me he was the best in the world last season.”
Flick issues update on Pedri and Gavi return dates
In the coming weeks, Barcelona hope to welcome Pedri and Gavi back. Flick confirmed that the former should be back before the end of the month, but for the latter, that’s unlikely to be the case.
“Pedri (will return soon). Gavi may not be back in February, but he will be the following month.”
