Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has expressed unwavering confidence in his squad as they prepare for their La Liga opening clash against Valencia on Saturday. Despite a summer transfer window that saw the arrival of attacking midfielder Dani Olmo and fellow Spaniard Pau Victor, Flick remains steadfast in his belief in the team’s capabilities.
The German tactician, who previously led Bayern Munich to a string of impressive victories including two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League win, has expressed satisfaction with the current roster. He acknowledged that the challenges ahead will be significant but stated his unwavering trust in the club and its players. “I am satisfied with the squad I have, the rest is a question mark. When I signed my contract, I knew it wouldn’t be easy but I trust the club blindly. And I am happy with the team, with what it offers,” Flick told reporters on Friday. He added, “We have injured players who will gradually come back. We are still a strong team.”
While Flick confirmed that Olmo, who played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, would not be available for the Valencia game due to a lack of fitness, he also provided updates on other players. “Olmo is not in good physical condition, he started late and we will look after him. He won’t be here tomorrow. We want everyone to be well and play injury-free,” he stated.
In a positive development, Flick announced that 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal will feature against Valencia. Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, was reportedly stabbed on Wednesday in a car park in Mataro, Spain. Spanish national TV broadcaster TVE reported that Nasraoui is in “serious but stable” condition.
Flick acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match against Valencia, who finished ninth in La Liga last season. “I am very much looking forward to this first game. Valencia is a special place,” he said. “It will be a tough game, our opponents have shown that they play good, attacking football, you have to watch your lines… It will be difficult.”
