FC Barcelona are set to close out 2025 with a La Liga clash against Villarreal on Sunday. The Yellow Submarines sit third in the table but have two games in hand, and winning both could see them rise to second place, just two points behind La Blaugrana.
The Catalan team will spend the evening in Castellon as they have an early kick-off time for this game. Thus, Hansi Flick undertook his customary press conference before the last training session for this match. Mundo Deportivo has reported the main highlights from this presser.
Flick began by praising his team’s upcoming opponents, highlighting the challenge Villarreal presents:
“Every match is the most important, but we play against a team with philosophy and direct play. It’s an incredible team, and they have grown a lot in recent years. They are doing very well.”
The Barcelona coach then addressed Pedri’s status, confirming that the young midfielder would not be available for this match:
“He will not play. I’m not happy about this. He’s injured.”
Flick explained the reasoning behind keeping Pedri sidelined and when he expects him to return:
“I think he will be ready for Espanyol. He has problems with his hamstrings, and the risk is very high. He could play, but the risk is too high.”
He further emphasized the importance of protecting Pedri for the upcoming fixtures and managing his recovery carefully:
“We have to take care of him and have him undergo treatment. We cannot take risks. This is best for now. We need him for the next matches against Espanyol and the Supercopa. We have to adapt because we have a lot of quality in the team.”
This match was previously scheduled to be played in Miami, but ultimately, this did not happen. Flick did not comment on this matter too much:
“That’s how it is. I don’t think about that. I’m happy to play in Villarreal. It’s LaLiga’s decision, and I accept it.”
Reflecting on 2025, Flick shared his satisfaction while underlining the need to keep striving for success:
“I can say it’s been an amazing and successful year for me, my team, and the club. I’m very happy in Barcelona, but all that is in the past. We have to keep working to achieve more success. The titles this season were great, but we must continue.”
Regarding Robert Lewandowski, Flick confirmed the striker is fit and available for selection:
“He’s ready to play and is an option for tomorrow. In the Copa, we didn’t take risks. He can play, and that’s good news.”
On his possible contract extension, Flick explained the conditions that matter to him:
“One and a half years for a coach is a long time. I’m very happy to work at this club, with Deco and all the staff. My staff is fantastic, Deco is incredible, and I have a great relationship with him. I’m here for the president, and it’s important to have his trust. For me, being here another year and a half is fine, but it also depends if the president is here. If we play well and achieve success, it’s important.”
Flick also discussed how he has been adjusting his midfield to maximize stability and control and explained his decisions regarding Frenkie de Jong’s role and playing time.
“For me, it’s good to have control and stability in the team. In the last few matches, it was like this with Eric as a ‘6’. Frenkie understood it. He is a fantastic and important player for the team. It’s important to have quality and competition in the team. This helps everyone play at their best. I can see that everyone is ready, with attitude and desire to play. I believe in my team’s quality.”
Despite Villarreal’s recent Copa del Rey setback, Flick expects them to be highly motivated:
“The Copa is very different from the Champions League and La Liga. For all teams, Barça is the match of the year. They will surely be motivated.”
Flick also commented on Marc Casado’s versatility within the squad:
“He can play as a fullback, but for me, he’s more of a ‘6’ or ‘8’. It’s important to have players who can play in this position. Maybe he’s not entirely happy with his minutes, but this is Barça.”
The coach explained his approach to selecting the starting lineup and handling players’ expectations:
“I think about what is necessary for the team, but we are all human. If someone doesn’t play, I have to talk to them. It’s important to give explanations. Players also ask me questions. My door is always open. I’m here to help them improve. First is the team, not the player or the coach.”
Finally, Flick expressed his disappointment over Raphinha’s exclusion from The Best FIFA Men’s 11 and defended his contributions:
“For me, it’s incredible. It’s not a big deal because I don’t think much about the best XI, but the FIFA thing is a joke. When I saw that Raphinha wasn’t included, I was amazed. He was very important for us last season. He contributed 22 goals and assists in the Champions League, the top competition. If you look at the goals, assists, and his influence, it was incredible. It’s not fair for him. It’s a joke. I can’t believe he’s not in the world’s best XI. After that season, he deserves it. It’s incredible.”
Hopefully, Raphinha will once again prove FIFA wrong this season with his performances in the second half of the season, while helping Barcelona compete for major trophies.
Barcelona will aim to finish the year on a high note, overcoming Pedri’s absence and relying on the squad’s depth. The Catalans will be looking to secure three points and build momentum for the second half of the season, keeping their title ambitions alive.
