We played brilliantly today, but the cup match will be different

Hans Flick, the head coach of Barcelona, spoke after the big 4-1 victory over Villarreal in the Spanish League, expressing his satisfaction with the team’s collective performance and highlighting the outstanding level of young Lamine Yamal.

Flick said: “Of course, we can do things better, but what I saw today pleased me a lot. We played excellently. Tuesday will be different, but we have to play at the same level. We pressed well and quickly, and we won the duels.”

He added: “We are trying to take care of Lamine, but the rest of the team also performed excellently. Everyone saw his performance; his level is outstanding, and I want to see him at the same level on Tuesday. We pressed Villarreal well and won the direct balls, which was the key to today’s match. The good and quick pressing was fantastic.”

He continued: “Sometimes, as I say, when you score goals, everything becomes easier. Lamine is still young and needs to develop; he has a lot of skills. Opponents play against him in pairs or threes, and he doesn’t naturally get one-on-one opportunities. When he enjoys playing, it’s ideal for him and for us.”

Flick explained about the team performance: “I think we wasted a lot of chances in recent matches, but today we pressed a lot, which is important, and it will be necessary on Tuesday. When we lose the ball, the transition from defense to attack becomes difficult, but we have confidence in individual confrontations, and we need everyone to be at a good level. Firmin was also good.”

Regarding the refereeing, he said: “We sent the ball out of play, but the opposing team did not do the same on another occasion. We talked afterwards; fair play means the player returns the ball, and we did that. I expected the same behavior from the other team. It was a moment of emotion, but he is playing well and I respect him. I saw a yellow card, and it was deserved.”

He also mentioned some young players and said about Marc Casado: “He hasn’t trained for a day, and yesterday he didn’t do much, but Bernal is currently better and gives us stability with the ball. What I see, I like.”

He spoke about Pedri, saying: “I think he is a special case; he gives us stability and maintains possession of the ball. We are considering having him start on Tuesday.”

Regarding Gavi, he added: “As for Tuesday, it’s still early, but we know everyone will fight, and we will try and see what happens.”