FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick lamented a “sad” victory over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday which he … [+] confirmed has brought with it a serious injury to one of his players.
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Speaking to DAZN EspanaFC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick lamented a “sad” victory over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday which he confirmed has brought with it a serious injury to one of his players.
The Catalans again came from behind to win a third consecutive match 2-1 in Vallecas thanks to second half goals from Pedri and debutant Dani Olmo.
Though most managers would be thrilled with maintaining a 100% record in La Liga thus far, Flick was seen comforting a previously unknown 17-year-old at full time who he has backed to start all three matches thus far in 2024/2025.
The German cut a sombre figure when speaking to DAZNbut with good reason as it seems his pivot Marc Bernal has picked up what SPORT‘s Toni Juanmarti swiftly reported as a cruciate ligament injury to his knee.
“The victory is a sad victory, because Marc Bernal is injured and he is not looking very good, we will know tomorrow after the tests,” Flick said.
There was better potential knock news elsewhere, though, as Flick revealed Pedri – who has not long been back in action since being sidelined at the Euros with Spain – merely suffered a hard blow when being brought off close to full time.
“I think he’s fine,” Flick said about his number 8.
Flick conceded that “the first few minutes of the game were not as we wanted”.
“We were not able to press and we were not good with the ball. In the second half we were much better. I think the three points are fair,” he further stated, adding that he also thought his team deserved to win.
As pointed out by ESPN‘s Samuel Marsden, Flick has become the first Barca boss since Ernesto Valverde in 2018/2019 to win the first three matches of the season – the last of which is also a maiden victory in Vallecas in four attempts.
Barca of course won La Liga in the mentioned season before going on a drought until 2022/2023. And while it is too early for Culers to get carried away, they will certainly take courage from what they have seen from a much fitter team with heart which knows how to fight back when the chips are down.
