Flick talks Lamine, Kounde, Inigo, Olmo, Balde, Inter Milan ahead of Barcelona vs Celta Vigo | OneFootball

Following their first defeat of 2025, FC Barcelona will be eager to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday.

The Blaugrana suffered a 3-1 defeat in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg vs Borussia Dortmund, although they were able to secure a spot in the semi-final with a 5-3 aggregate victory.

Now, the focus shifts back to La Liga where Hansi Flick & co. will want to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points with a win over Celta, and put second-placed Real Madrid under pressure.

Ahead of the contest against the Galician outfit, manager Flick addressed the media today in his pre-match press conference, talking about how Barcelona will approach the game.

“I think the important thing is that Celta have a clear style and for us, it’s important that we show our strengths. We talked about that this morning and about what we can improve and what we did wrong in Dortmund,” said the German head coach.

The Barça gaffer then hit out at the fixture scheduling considering the little rest that his players are getting in between games.

“Do you know how many games we have played in the last few weeks? We’re not going to complain, but this only happens here. In all leagues, players are protected,” he stated.

“I would like to have a chat with the people in charge of them. Maybe we are not at our best at the moment.”

Talking about the fatigue suffered by players, he further noted: “We are very tired, but we have tried to manage it well. We are very young. When a game is about to start you have to give 100 per cent, your best version.

“That’s how I see it. It’s obvious that someone might feel tired, but they can ask for a change. That’s the attitude I want.

“In the end, you have to look at yourself in the mirror and be honest with yourself. I’m proud of my players because they give everything. Incredible players and a spectacular club.”

Providing an update on the fitness of Jules Kounde, who has played every game this season, Flick stated:

“The problem with Kounde is that if one day we do 30 minutes less training he goes running off to Sitges. He’s an incredible player and he’s at his physical peak. I talk to them and they are honest about how they are physically.

“You can also see it in the data we have. But I need them to be honest with me and Kounde tells me he’s fine.”

Praising Lamine Yamal and highlighting his importance to the team, the manager added:

“Everyone knows that Lamine, at 17, is a genius. He has a lot of pressure on his back and we need him on the pitch, but only if he is at his best. If we see him well and the data and he tells us he is well he will play, like everyone else.”

Flick was full of praise for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

On how crucial Inigo Martinez is to the side, he remarked: “For me it is very important that there are players – coaches on the pitch who talk and organise the team. He sees everything and can manage it from the back.

“I have said it before, I am very happy with him, I appreciate his professionalism and he is an undisputed leader.”

Talking about Dani Olmo and whether he is ready to start, Flick said: “He’s ready, but we’ll see tomorrow. Fermín did very well too, but we’ll see.”

On whether the defeat against Dortmund was a wake-up call for him and his team, Flick added:

“We were not good in Dortmund but I am proud of the players. When we started the pre-season if someone had told us that on 18 April we had a chance to win the treble, we would have all signed it. In the end, we only lost one game.

“We have to be positive, we are aware of what we are doing and the team knows what it has to do tomorrow.”

With Barcelona now set to face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, Flick praised the Italian giants and highlighted Benjamin Pavard as one of his favourite players.

“They are very clear about everything and they play very well. I admire their game. I love Pavard, he was a player of mine and I would love to see him again. It’s a fantastic team with a great coach,” said the Barcelona boss.

The manager further discussed the fixture overload, saying: “I don’t want to make excuses or complain. I’m happy in the sense that we don’t play on Sunday at 2 pm against Valladolid, that’s fine by me. But why can’t we play at 6 pm?

“I’d like to see the guy who organises the schedules, because it’s a joke. If we are successful in Europe the Spanish League will benefit.

“I’m speechless because it’s untenable. Every federation cares about their teams. They don’t care about rest and players going to bed at 5 o’clock in the morning.”

The Barça head coach also spoke highly about Celta Vigo head coach Claudio Giraldez, saying:

“I have absolute respect for his work. He has a very clear and attractive idea. He plays in attack and it’s nice to see. It has nothing to do with his age. He trained and developed in the lower categories of the club. I have a lot of work for him and his work.”

Concluding, Flick provided an update on Alejandro Balde’s fitness and whether he can return in time for the Copa del Rey final, saying:

“We’ll have to see how it progresses on a day-to-day basis. I’m not sure. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo