Barcelona Aim to Avenge Girona Losses, Flick Confident
Barcelona are set to face their local rivals Girona on Sunday, with manager Hansi Flick expressing his confidence in his team’s ability to secure a victory and avenge last season’s defeats.
Flick, whose Barcelona reign began with four consecutive victories, enjoyed watching Girona last season as they took LaLiga by storm, clashing with Real Madrid in the title race and reaching the Champions League for the first time.
But despite heaping praise on rival manager Michel’s work after guiding them to third place, Flick said there will be no sympathy when he takes to the pitch.
“We’ve won four games in a row, and we have to keep going,” Flick told a press conference on Saturday.
“I know it will be complicated because Girona play really well. It’s a match at the highest level, Champions League level, and we’re playing away. But we are confident because we have quality.
“Last season I watched Girona a lot, and I was really impressed by what the coach did and how the players responded.
“But we know how we have to play, and I’m sure the players will deliver. We must not look back. What happened, happened. The key on Sunday is that all our players give their best out there.”
Barcelona are top of the standings with 12 points, five above fifth-placed Girona, who are coming off solid wins against Osasuna and Sevilla.
Flick said his team needed to make Girona uncomfortable and dominate possession against an exciting attacking side, who won 4-2 in both LaLiga games against Barca last term.
“We know that Girona’s strength is having the ball. We have to press well, defend as a block, stay well positioned and not give them any space,” Flick added.
“It will be a tactical battle, but we want the ball and, if we have it, we have a good chance of winning. It will be a good test for us, it will be like a Champions League match.”
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