FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick sent a warning to his players and demanding more from them in … [+] Champions League midweek after a 3-1 La Liga win over Espanyol on Sunday.
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FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick sent a warning to his players and demanded more from them in the Champions League midweek after a 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 Raphinha also getting on the scoresheet all within 31 minutes.
There was clearly a drop off in the second half where Barca might have gone on to net further goals in other encounters, and Flick warned that his men will have to be better against Red Star Belgrade in the UCL this week.
“We have picked up three points and we’ve won the derby, which is important. It’s true that in the second half we dropped the pace and we lost concentration at certain moments, but these things happen. I accept it because we won. But looking ahead to Wednesday [in the Champions League]we will have to be stronger and raise the level,” Flick said post-match.
This aside, the German praised his men for having “a great season”, with the first half reflective of great form that has seen Barca recently notch resounding victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
He admitted that “in the second half with the changes I looked to control more in the midfield”, which didn’t always come off as Espanyol was allowed to score a consolation while also having some efforts that beat Inaki Pena ruled offside.
Dani Olmo coming back from injury and netting a brace to make it five goals in five outings for his boyhood club as a professional was a highlight, though.
Flick said that Olmo “still needs match rhythm but his return to the side was great and we are very happy with him”.
Inigo Martinez was described as “a real leader who does a lot for the team”, while Marc Casado, who provided a Pedri-esque assist for Raphinha over the top of the Espanyol back line, has “improved a lot in the last few months and is playing brilliantly”.
“We have a great team, I’m really happy and you can see that. I have great confidence in the side,” Flick concluded, with another tough trip to Real Sociedad up next in the league after Red Star Belgrade on the continent.
