Barcelona coach Flick warns players and demands more

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick sent a warning to my players and demanded more from them in the Champions League in midweek after their 3-1 La Liga win over Espanyol on Sunday.

The Catalans managed to go nine points clear of Real Madrid thanks to a brace from Dani Olmo and Rafinha, who also scored within 31 minutes.

There was clearly a slump in the second half, with Barca likely to have scored more goals elsewhere, and Flick warned his men will have to do better against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League this week.

“We got three points and won the derby and that’s important. It’s true that in the second half we lost momentum and lost concentration at certain points, but these things happen. I accept it because we won.” But ahead of Wednesday (in the Champions League) we will have to become stronger and raise the level,” Flick said after the match.

The German also praised his side for a “great season”, with the first half reflecting the fine form that has seen Barca recently record big wins over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

He admitted that “in the second half, with the changes, I was looking to control the game more in midfield”, which did not always work out as Espanyol were allowed a consolation goal and there were some efforts that beat Inaki Pena in an offside position.

However, Dani Olmo returning from injury to score a brace of five goals in five appearances for his boyhood club as a professional was a highlight.

Flick said Olmo “still needs rhythm in his game, but his return to the team has been great and we’re very happy with him.”

Inigo Martinez was described as “a real leader who does a lot for the team”, while Mark Casado, who provided a Pedri-esque assist for Raphinha through the top of the Espanyol backline, has “improved a lot in the last few months”. and plays brilliantly.”

“We have a great team, I’m very happy and you can see it. I’m very confident in my team,” concluded Flick after another tough trip to Real Sociedad, next in the league behind Red Star Belgrade on the continent.