Barcelona’s recent performance was disappointing, with fans booing and key players Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski suffering injuries—Gundogan with a head injury and Lewandowski with muscle discomfort. The positive momentum following draws against AC Milan and Manchester City, as well as a victory over Real Madrid, was abruptly halted.
Despite the setback, coach Flick remains optimistic. “I know what this team is capable of. It wasn’t our best game, but we’ll approach things differently in Valencia. Losing now is preferable to later in the season,” Flick stated in English. He emphasized the importance of eliciting strong reactions from fans by playing fast and passionately.
Barcelona faces a challenging encounter against Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday, promising a high-energy atmosphere and a tough start to the season. Flick reflected on their recent match, noting missed opportunities and a lack of pace in the first half. “We didn’t control the match, which allowed Monaco to gain momentum. A mistake led to the first goal and a heavy defeat,” he told Sport.
New captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen described the result as a crucial wake-up call ahead of their Liga debut. “We need to improve our accuracy and performance,” he remarked, recognizing the importance of details in matches. He assured that the team would analyze the game thoroughly and aims for a better showing on Saturday.
Ter Stegen also addressed criticism regarding his captaincy speech, which omitted the traditional “Visca Catalunya.” He expressed hope that his words resonated with the fans and affirmed his commitment to leading the team positively throughout the season.