Flick talks about Araujo, De Jong, Lewandowski and Yamal before Borussia Dortmund against Barcelona

Barcelona will be looking to further consolidate their position in the top eight of the UEFA Champions League table when they take on Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park tomorrow evening.

Currently third in the overall standings, the Blaugrana have a very good starting position without making it straight into the round of 16 in the playoffs.

However, their recent form has been somewhat questionable, as shown by the fact that they have picked up just five points from their last five La Liga games.

Therefore, it won’t be easy for Barcelona when they face Nuri Sahin’s men in a frightening atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park.

About playing at Signal Iduna Park

Barça coach Hansi Flick mentioned what his team can expect at the stadium tomorrow:

“We will play in a fantastic and very complicated stadium with an incredible atmosphere. It’s wonderful. The fans push hard. We have to take advantage of that because it gives us extra motivation.”

Flick pointed to the team’s away wins against other big clubs such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid this season and said Barcelona could take advantage of the situation.

“Against Bayern, Madrid, we saw that. We showed what quality we have. It’s normal that we fail at some stages of the season, but I trust my team implicitly. They give absolutely everything,” he said.

“Maybe we couldn’t reach 100% because of injuries. We want to reach our full potential. We face Atletico in a few days and have a few days off.”

Having spent most of his coaching career in Germany and now managing a club in Spain, Flick was asked about the differences in football in the two countries and replied:

“I don’t think I can compare. Everyone has their own idea. From a technical perspective there is a difference.

“The atmosphere in the stadiums in Germany is wonderful. As a coach, the emotions and passion are wonderful and you can see that in Spain too.”

About the shape of the team

As already mentioned, Barcelona have not been at their best recently and go into tomorrow’s game with a 2-2 draw against Real Betis. Flick said about what was certainly a delicate moment of the season for his team:

“Sometimes we have a bit of a lull, but in the end it all depends on how the season turns out. We are convinced. We have to play the way we want to play and that’s how we’ll continue to improve. We are very clear about this.

“We are a very young team and that is normal. We lost two points that hurt us a lot, but we have to learn from our mistakes. We are very united and playing for three very important points.”

When discussing the team’s high pressing style and whether it presents more of a mental or physical challenge, he noted:

“It’s a little bit of everything. It has to do with the context. As a team you have a philosophy and it is important that everyone takes part in it. Our games are very intense.”

On whether tomorrow’s game against Dortmund would be a good parameter for assessing Barcelona’s position in Europe, he said:

“We played a lot of games in which we showed what we can do. Bayern, Madrid… we have shown that we are ready to face big challenges and big games.

“It will be a complicated game, but we can overcome it. This is a different level and motivates us a little more. We want to take a step forward.”

On individual players

Ronald Araujo is back in the squad for the first time this season after being out with an injury since July. Regarding the question of whether the defender will be ready to play tomorrow, Flick said:

“We’ll see tomorrow if he plays. It’s a joy that he’s back. He has a lot of strength and motivates his teammates a lot. Also the coach. I like his winning attitude. The plan is for him to play, but I can’t say how often yet.”

The manager then praised Frenkie de Jong, who had previously been praised by Borussia Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin.

“I don’t know if he’s underestimated in the press. For me he is a very important player. That’s my opinion. I can’t control the outside world. But I can say that he is a professional from head to toe and always gives his best.” said Flick.

Speaking about Robert Lewandowski and the Catalans’ dependence on him for his goals, Flick remarked:

“Both. We need Robert, but he also needs the team. Nobody can win alone. Both benefit from this relationship. He has a lot of quality, but so does the team. It’s very important.”

Regarding the question of whether the experienced striker will stay with the club for another year, he said: “Football is completely unpredictable. But now he’s great. We have to look after him and continue to train him. He plays a lot and at a very good level. He helps the team a lot.”

On Lamine Yamal and whether tomorrow’s game is a chance for the teenager to showcase his brilliance in a special stadium, Flick said:

“Lamine can give it his all and give it his all in every game. He is an unmatched talent. He was injured and had to recover. It cost him time. But he has shown that he is decisive. We have complete confidence in him.”

Source: AS