Flick talks Yamal, Lewandowski, Szczesny, Pena, Fermin ahead of Alaves vs Barcelona

Barcelona will be gunning for their eighth win of the La Liga season when they take on Luis Garcia Plaza’s Deportivo Alaves on Sunday afternoon away at the Mendizorroza Stadium.

The Blaugrana, having lost the last league game against CA Osasuna, bounced back strongly with a victory over Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, and will be eager to build on that with another strong performance.

Ahead of the game, Barça head coach Hansi Flick spoke to the media in his customary press conference, discussing a variety of topics like the players’ minute-management and new signing Wojciech Szczesny, among others.

On the Alaves game

Kicking things off, Flick talked about what tomorrow’s game against Alaves means for Barcelona, saying: 

“We are very focused because it is very important to go into the break with a win. Add three extra points.”

On the importance of the match, he added: “The last time we won it was a very good feeling. Going into the break with three more points would be the best thing. 

“I don’t even want to think about the opposite scenario, I’m looking positively at tomorrow’s game.”

On what qualities he wants to see from his team tomorrow against Alaves, the manager replied:

“Intensity from the start. It will also be important not to make as many mistakes as in Pamplona, to control possession… and we must also have chances. And, hopefully, score goals.”

Talking about what Barcelona can expect from Alaves, he added: “You have to accept the opponent and know what to expect from them. It will be a high-intensity match and we know that won’t be a surprise. We must concentrate from minute one until the end.”

On Szczesny

Reports earlier today suggested that Szczesny had arrived in good shape and having completed a couple of training sessions with the group, there was expectation that he could be included in the squad to face Alaves.

However, that did not turn out to be the case as the 34-year-old was not called upon by Flick for tomorrow’s game.

Discussing the new signing and when he might be ready to play, the German tactician said: “I think he is in very good shape, with his quality, with his experience he is a very good option. 

“When I spoke to him for the first time I was very impressed. He told me: he was ready if we needed him. We think he will bring a lot to the table. 

“Unfortunately he won’t be available against Alaves because he needs more time, but he will be available after the break.”

On whether there were any specific plans for Szczesny, given as there was speculation that he wanted to join only if he would be the No.1 goalkeeper, the manager replied: 

“I think that, for him, playing for Barça will be a wonderful experience. If he had any doubts, he would have said no to us. We will see how things go, how it goes in training. We have time to train with him.”

Reports earlier in the week suggested that Robert Lewandowski played a key role in convincing Szczesny to come out of retirement. However, the manager stated that it was Barcelona’s goalkeeping coach, Jose Ramon de la Fuente, who had a bigger role, saying:

“De la Fuente has had more influence than Lewandowski on his signing.”

On what Szczesny’s signing means for Inaki Pena, he said: “We are happy to have the player. I think Szczesny is going to help him a lot. We are going to have more options and I am very grateful to the club.”

Injuries, rotations, and international break

Following Fermin Lopez’s injury relapse, Flick took the blame upon himself saying that he should have communicated with the Spain Under-21 manager regarding the player’s workload.

When asked if he had done so heading into the latest international break, the Barcelona boss replied:

“No, Fermin’s case was totally different. Things are the way they are: I have also been on the other side. The selectors know their responsibility. I’m sure it’s clear to them, it’s obvious that De la Fuente is doing a great job.”

Talking about the international break and whether it worries him, after reports emerged that Barça were unhappy with Kylian Mbappe being rested by France but Jules Kounde was called up, the German said: 

“No, no. It’s something I can’t change. It’s something I can’t change.

“We’ll see what happens after the break, we’ll have to adapt to whatever happens and make decisions. I think the players who are called up by their national teams feel it’s an honour and that shows how good they are.”

On whether he plans on rotating especially after the plan went awry during the Osasuna clash, Flick responded:

“I said it before or after the game: I think it was the right time to rotate. Now we have four days between games and I think we are at 100%. I hope that tomorrow the situation will be completely different.”

Both Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal were not happy being subbed off during the game against Young Boys earlier in the week. When asked about it, the manager insisted that he understood the players’ reactions, saying:

“It’s normal, every player wants to play 90 minutes. But well, things were the way they were and you have to make changes. I made this decision, they have to accept it and they accept it. 

“Lamine, in the second half, didn’t have so much possession, but his attitude is very positive and tomorrow he will show it once again.”

Source: AS