Hansi Flick: ‘Injuries at Barcelona are always my responsibility’
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick stated that he accepts accountability for the recent injuries affecting the team, having lost Frenkie de Jong, Jules Koundé, and Alejandro Balde to hamstring issues over the past week.
Following the loss of both Koundé and Balde for the upcoming month as Barça was eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, with De Jong previously sustaining an injury during training, Flick seemed to point fingers at the club’s medical and fitness personnel regarding the injuries.
Nonetheless, he asserts that the ultimate responsibility lies with him as Barça prepares to face Athletic Club in LaLiga this weekend with only 16 outfield players available.
“It happens,” Flick remarked about Barça’s increasing injury list, which also includes Andreas Christensen and Gavi, during a news conference on Friday.
“I am not pleased about that. I mentioned this after the match. We need to discuss what improvements can be made. If we are doing certain things, we must analyze them and enhance our approach.
“It is always my responsibility, no one else’s. This is what I want to clarify now: not the medical staff, not the fitness staff, no, it is my responsibility. I oversee that.
“If something occurs, we communicate, which is what I want to do now, to determine what we can improve for the future. Managing a team involves making mistakes at times; it is not ideal, especially at this moment, but we are maintaining a positive outlook.”
One player available for the match against Athletic on Saturday is Robert Lewandowski, who will don a face mask after missing the midweek fixture against Atlético due to a fractured eye socket.
The match comes too early for Gavi, who will accompany the team to Bilbao and then to Newcastle United for Tuesday’s Champions League encounter, although he is not yet prepared to be included in the matchday squad after five months on the sidelines.
“Gavi has made progress, and this is encouraging,” Flick noted. “It is positive for him and his situation. We will see when he returns, possibly after the break, but it could also happen sooner.”
To bolster the squad, Flick will look to La Masia, with 18-year-old Xavi Espart among those anticipated to be included in the lineup for Barça’s forthcoming matches.
Flick has expressed admiration for the young player, who is capable of playing in midfield or at full-back, and has likened him to Philipp Lahm, with whom he worked while serving as Germany’s assistant coach.
“When I observe Xavi in action, I truly appreciate his confidence with the ball; it is somewhat reminiscent of Lahm,” Flick stated.
“He could function as a No. 6 or a No. 2. It is wonderful to see him with the ball as well as without it. He has returned from injury, and he is performing at a commendable level.
“He demonstrated his quality during these three days of training. I am eager to see him play.”
After their exit from the Copa in midweek, Barça heads to San Mamés this weekend with a four-point advantage at the top of LaLiga ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League round-of-16 first leg match at St. James’ Park against Newcastle.
