FC Barcelona made it four wins from four to open the new season with a 5-0 away victory over Valencia, and Hansi Flick left Mestalla in an unmistakably good mood. The German coach called it an almost perfect performance but was quick to point out where his side can still tighten up, particularly on ball control and how the squad manages its energy across a long campaign, a theme that runs through his broader thinking on Barcelona’s midfield decisions this season.
As Mundo Deportivo has reported, Flick used his post-match press conference to explain several of the calls that shaped the win, starting with Rodri Hernández’s first start in Blaugrana colours. He described Rodri’s contribution as making sense in every sense, on the pitch and inside the dressing room, framing him as a genuine leader for the group. Crucially, Flick did not treat that as a closed door for Marc Bernal, insisting the youngster is doing good work of his own and will keep getting chances and improving because of the presence of the new signing.
That balancing act extended further forward. Flick was clear that managing a squad with this many options, Dani Olmo included, is not straightforward, and that being left out of the XI is never easy for any player. He was equally direct that the goal glut, 17 in four league games, has not shifted his view that Barcelona still need a recognised number nine, even as he praised the team for finding and attacking space against a deep block. He also asked for more control through better passing and smarter management of energy over the course of a long season.
On individual performances, Flick revealed that Lamine Yamal had trained separately from the group the day before the game, only for the winger to tell him on matchday morning that he was fit to play. Once on the pitch, Flick said Yamal was fully committed to the pressing and defensive side of the game, which pleased him as much as the attacking output referenced in the ongoing debate around scrutiny of Yamal’s performances. Fermín López also drew praise for his intensity in and out of the box, with Flick acknowledging occasional mistakes but insisting the overall level was fantastic, while Olmo’s introduction from the bench was singled out as intelligent and effective. Flick additionally accepted the three yellow cards shown to Cubarsí, Rodri and Fermín as fair, adding that referee Díaz de Mera had a great game.
| Player | Flick’s Assessment |
|---|---|
| Lamine Yamal | Trained apart, then declared himself fit; praised for pressing and defensive commitment |
| Rodri Hernández | Called a true leader on and off the pitch in his first Barcelona start |
| Marc Bernal | Doing a good job; expected to get more chances and keep improving |
| Fermín López | Praised for intensity, pressing and goal contributions despite occasional errors |
| Dani Olmo | Highlighted as intelligent and impactful after coming off the bench |
With four straight league wins secured, Flick’s focus now turns to Europe, as Barcelona open their UEFA Champions League campaign against Feyenoord on Wednesday. How the Rodri-Bernal balance and the roles for Yamal, Fermín and Olmo hold up against continental opposition will offer the next real test of the selection principles Flick laid out at Mestalla, a subject explored further in the discussion of Flick’s praise for Rodri’s debut.
