Hansi Flick’s Barcelona has made a dominant start to the season, taking the top spot in LaLiga with a convincing 3-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday. Despite the impressive performance, the German coach, known for his success with Bayern Munich, was cautious about comparing his current team to the treble-winning Bavarian squad.
Flick, who led Bayern to a historic treble in 2020, emphasized the unique nature of his current team and the ever-changing dynamics of football. While acknowledging the team’s strong start, he emphasized the importance of remaining grounded and focused on continuous improvement. He expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and the positive atmosphere within the squad, highlighting the importance of analytical work and individual growth beyond mere wins and losses.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who thrived under Flick’s guidance at Bayern, continued his prolific form, scoring a hat-trick against Alaves, taking his LaLiga goal count to 10 and his overall season tally to 12. Flick praised Lewandowski’s exceptional finishing abilities and the team’s support in enabling his success. He emphasized that the team’s performance was a collective effort, with everyone contributing to Lewandowski’s stellar form.
Despite the impressive victory, Barcelona faced a setback with forward Ferran Torres sustaining an injury early in the match. While the extent of the injury is still unknown, Flick confirmed it appears to be muscular and expressed concern over the limited options in the attacking department. He hopes to recover the injured players during the upcoming international break, with the aim of having them back in good shape for future matches.
The win at the Mendizorrotza Stadium was a resounding statement from Barcelona, demonstrating their early-season dominance and Flick’s ability to assemble a formidable squad. While the victory was overshadowed by Ferran Torres’s injury, the team’s overall performance, coupled with Lewandowski’s goal-scoring exploits, promises an exciting season for the Catalan giants.
