FC Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, confirmed that it is up to Lamin Yamal “to take a step forward and demonstrate again,” explaining that in the upcoming matches “You must show your best version,” After last Tuesday’s match against Chelsea, in which Cucurella drained the Blaugrana ’10’, he also confirmed that Ronald Araujo would be sidelined due to a “stomach virus” in the duel against Deportivo Alaves.
“It’s okay. Many players, when we change them, are not happy. I was also a player and did not react as I should have. Cucurella is one of the best full-backs in the world, and he is very good at defending. It was Lamin’s turn to take a step forward and demonstrate again. “Now is the time to show his best level,” Flick stated in the conference prior to the match against Alaves.
The German coach stated that it was “not fair” to blame the defense for the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. “When we lose and concede three goals it is easy to say it was not a good match. After all, there are people who don’t know what we need to play up front. It’s also about the striker, the midfield. I need every player to be able to press.”
“It seems like the defense is to blame, but it’s not fair. If we don’t press well we will all have problems. We did a lot of things well, but we have to improve. Pedri will give us more quality, almost all of us are already available. “We want to get better after every match,” he said.
In this way, Flick confirmed the return of the injured Pedri in the last Clásico against Real Madrid, although he also revealed that he would start the match from the bench. “He will play minutes, but not at the beginning. If possible, he will play a few minutes in the second half.”He mentioned.
Regarding Araujo, the main player in the defeat against Chelsea, he commented that he will be absent due to a stomach virus, and that he is “emotionally bad” like the entire team. “She has a stomach virus and will be discharged today and tomorrow. We’ll see what happens before Sunday. Emotionally, we are all bad. The defeat was difficult, because we thought we were capable of winning.”
“I explained it before. In today’s training as well. I see good dynamics and intensity, and that’s what I missed in some parts against Chelsea. We have confidence on and off the ball, but we have to show it. I know that every match is difficult. Our goal tomorrow is three points. “Anything else is left aside,” he said.
Considering this clash against Alaves, Rafinha could start again after playing minutes against Chelsea and Athletic Club. “Of course I missed him. He is one of the most focused players in the team and he fits our style and philosophy,” he explained.
“He has a very positive influence on our game, he is very good in transitions. He is also hungry and eager to show how good he is after a great year. “I believe and hope he will show us how good he is.”
Finally, he made it clear that Casado and Bernal will have chances in the upcoming matches. “We wanted Christensen to play minutes in this position. I needed a player who was tall and good with his head. We believe in Casado and Bernal. Bernal is not playing minutes because he is injured. “Casado is doing very well in training and he will have chances.”