Manager says absences will give younger players “opportunity to show how good they are”
Hansi Flick has vowed that Barcelona will keep pushing for silverware despite their persistent injury problems this season.
The Catalan side travel to San Mames on Saturday to face Athletic Club, while seeking to protect a four-point lead at the top of La Liga after 26 matches, Real Madrid having slipped to a surprise 1-0 home defeat against Getafe earlier in the week. Athletic Club currently sit ninth in the table.
However, Barcelona’s preparations have been complicated by injuries. Defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde both picked up hamstring problems during Tuesday’s match against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Barcelona won 3-0 in that game but the result was not enough to overturn the heavy deficit from the first meeting. Midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Gavi also remain unavailable.
“These things happen, I’m not happy,” said Flick. “We have to talk about what we can improve. That is always my responsibility. It’s not on the medical staff or the physios – it’s my responsibility. I want to talk to the doctors, the physios and the technical staff to see what we can do better.
“It’s about managing the team, and it’s not pleasant, especially at such a crucial moment. But we’re optimistic. This gives other players the opportunity to show how good they are.”
Barca will at least be boosted by the availability of Robert Lewandowski, who feature while wearing a protective mask after missing the midweek match with a fractured eye socket. Lewandowski wore the mask during training this week.
Gavi, meanwhile, has travelled with the squad but is not yet ready to return after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“Gavi has made the next step and this is good,” Flick said. “It’s good for him, his situation. We’ll see when he’s back, maybe after the break, but it could also go faster.”
The injury crisis means Flick may turn to younger players to fill the gaps, with La Masia graduate Xavi Espart among those pushing for involvement. The 18-year-old has impressed the Barcelona coach in training, drawing comparisons with one of Germany’s most decorated former captains.
“When I see Xavi playing, I really like his confidence with the ball,” Flick said. “It’s a little bit similar to Lahm. He could play as a No 6 or a No 2. It’s great to see him with the ball but also against the ball.
“He came back from injury, but he’s on a good level. He showed it in these three days of training how good he is. I am looking forward to seeing him playing.”
Despite their Copa del Rey exit, Flick believes Barcelona’s overall level remains high heading into a demanding stretch of the season that also includes a Champions League round-of-16 clash with Newcastle United on Tuesday.
“There’s still a long way to go until the end of May,” Flick said. “There are many games left. On Tuesday we had two more injuries. We have to deal with it and move on. We need to stay optimistic about the things we can’t change.
“In the end it wasn’t enough, and we have to accept that. But my feeling is that we are at a very high level, and that should give us confidence.”
