Hansi Flick reveals readiness for Copa del Rey quarterfinal fixture

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the media on the eve of his team’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash against Valencia and expressed his team’s eagerness to take on Valencia, who they thrashed 7-1 in their La Liga encounter just two weeks ago, although the German tactician warned that the Copa del Rey match would be a completely different affair.

In the buildup to the game, Flick revealed the team news where he stated that Dani Olmo would return from injury for the match, but Gavi would miss out due to a head injury suffered in their previous game. 

However, the manager praised Olmo’s importance to the team, stating that he brings a unique set of skills to the table. Flick also addressed the recent form of Frenkie de Jong, saying that he is happy to have options in midfield and that De Jong’s form would not necessarily mean fewer playing minutes for Marc Casado.

When asked about his team’s approach to the match, Flick emphasized the importance of rotations, given the congested fixture list. He also confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny would start in goal ahead of Inaki Pena, citing the Polish goalkeeper’s experience and personality as the reasons behind his decision.

Meanwhile, he took a subtle dig at Real Madrid, who recently filed a formal complaint about refereeing after losing to Espanyol. The Barcelona manager stated that his team does not make excuses or complaints, and instead focuses on winning their games. 

While looking forward to his team’s upcoming La Liga match against Sevilla, he stated that they need to focus on winning their games rather than worrying about external factors.

The match against Valencia will be a crucial one for Barcelona, who are seeking to win their second trophy of the season. With Flick at the helm, the team will be looking to put in a strong performance and advance to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.