Despite injuries to key players such as Pedri and Raphinha, Hansi Flick is in high spirits. Ahead of the home game against Mallorca, however, he also had to comment on the tricky personnel issue surrounding Robert Lewandowski.
Even though FC Barcelona may have performed more confidently in the past, coach Hansi Flick is not letting it get to him. This may be largely due to the fact that the Catalans’ results are still good: although they had to fight until extra time in the cup against second division side Albacete during the week, they ultimately won 2-1. The hosts from Albacete were not exactly considered easy opponents, as their surprise victory against Real Madrid in the previous round showed.
Barcelona are once again in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, where Atletico Madrid await them, as they did last year. Back then, the Catalans prevailed and went on to win the title.
Before facing the Colchoneros, however, the Catalans have to deal with the daily grind of La Liga. Ahead of the home game against Mallorca, Flick appeared relaxed despite his team’s poor finishing. “Sometimes it’s easier when you score goals, but ultimately I’m very happy with the way we play,” said the coach calmly, while acknowledging room for improvement: “We also need to focus more on successfully completing our moves and attacks.”
Robert Lewandowski is also only playing irregularly. He has only been in the starting lineup once in the last seven league games, with Ferran Torres often getting the nod instead. This raises the question of whether the Pole will extend his expiring contract with the Blaugrana. “He’s doing well, sometimes he wants to play more. That’s normal,” Flick played down the personnel issue – but does not want to make any predictions for the summer: “We’ll see what happens at the end of the season. Now is not the right time to talk about it.”
It is questionable whether winger Raphinha will play again against Mallorca. The Brazilian was substituted at half-time in the cup game during the week. “We have to wait and see from day to day. As soon as he feels ready and the doctors give him the green light, he will train with us, but not before,” explained Flick.
Patience is required with Pedri
Pedri has also been missing from the Catalans since the end of January, when he suffered a torn muscle fiber in the Champions League game at Slavia Prague.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard is expected to miss three more games, including the cup semi-final first leg against Atlético Madrid on February 11. FC Barcelona is therefore hoping for the return of its midfield strategist in the league home game against UD Levante.