Barcelona vs Olympiakos: Flick's Side Look to Bounce Back

Hansi Flick
Hansi Flick's Barcelona face crucial test against Olympiakos



Barcelona manager Hansi Flick opens up about his transformation at the Catalan club, ahead of the Champions League clash with Olympiakos Piraeus.


“I had nothing against the referee, I wasn't complaining at him but he saw it that way and I have to accept it...”


Barcelona manager Hansi Flick candidly shared that his experience at the club has had a profound impact on him. “This club has completely changed me,” he confessed, expressing his deep affection for Barcelona, its people, and the sport.


Flick's revelation comes ahead of Barcelona's crucial Champions League match against Olympiakos Piraeus. The team is looking to bounce back after a setback in the group stages against Paris Saint-Germain, which prevented them from reaching the Champions League final last season, a milestone they were close to achieving under Flick's leadership.


The German coach also reflected on his emotional outburst during Barcelona's dramatic 2-1 win over Girona in La Liga. Flick was sent off for allegedly protesting against refereeing decisions but emphasized that his frustration stemmed from his passion for the game, stating, “I don't like these things when I see myself on TV, and I don't like my grandchildren seeing their grandfather like that.” Despite this, he acknowledged the need to manage his emotions better.


Barcelona is currently facing challenges due to injuries to key players like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Dani Olmo. As a result, Flick will likely field a front three consisting of Fermin Lopez, Marcus Rashford, and 18-year-old Lamine Yamal against Olympiakos. The match is crucial for Barcelona, which trails Real Madrid by two points in La Liga.


Hansi Flick, the German coach of Barcelona, acknowledged his recent emotional outbursts, including the incident during the Spanish champions' dramatic win over Girona in LaLiga on Saturday. Ronald Araujo's stoppage-time strike secured victory for Barcelona, but Flick's celebration was marred by a red card for allegedly protesting against refereeing decisions in the dying minutes of the match.


“I'm not more nervous, maybe my emotions are not the same as before,” Flick said, explaining that he had been overwhelmed by emotion. He reflected on his time as Bayern Munich coach, recalling images of their 8-2 win against Barcelona, where he didn't smile despite the significant lead. “Now I have more emotions; this club have completely changed me. What I can say is that I love this club, I love Barcelona, I love the people here, it's incredible, and I give my all for this club.” Flick also acknowledged his actions, stating, “I had nothing against the referee, I wasn't complaining at him but he saw it that way and I have to accept it.”


Flick expressed his desire to change his behavior, saying, “To be honest, I don't like these things when I see myself on TV, and I don't like my grandchildren seeing their grandfather like that, so maybe I have to change my behaviour.” Despite the challenges Barcelona is facing, including injuries to key players, Flick is focused on the upcoming Champions League match against Olympiakos Piraeus.


“I remember when I was coaching Bayern Munich, there were images of us winning 8-2 against Barca, and I never smiled with the eight goals.


“Now I have more emotions; this club have completely changed me. What I can say is that I love this club, I love Barcelona, I love the people here, it's incredible, and I give my all for this club.


“To be honest, I don't like these things when I see myself on TV, and I don't like my grandchildren seeing their grandfather like that, so maybe I have to change my behaviour.”




With several key players sidelined, Flick's squad is under pressure, but the manager is expected to rely on his youthful talents like Yamal and the experienced Rashford to lead the attack. Fermin Lopez's inclusion adds a fresh dynamic to the side, potentially boosting Barcelona's creative output against Olympiacos.


The match against Olympiacos presents a crucial opportunity for Barcelona to secure a win and boost their confidence ahead of El Clásico. Despite the injury concerns, Flick's team has shown resilience, and with the right strategy, they could overcome the challenges posed by Olympiacos.


Barcelona currently sits 16th in the Champions League table with three points from two games, while Olympiakos ranks 29th with one point. Despite their league positions, Barcelona is focused on bouncing back from recent setbacks.


The Catalan club has taken proactive steps to appeal Hansi Flick's sending-off against Girona, aiming to secure his presence on the touchline for the highly anticipated match against Real Madrid. Barcelona trails Real Madrid by two points in LaLiga, and having Flick's guidance would be invaluable in this crucial encounter.


Flick's absence would be deeply felt, given his tactical expertise and ability to motivate players. Barcelona acknowledges that the appeal's success is uncertain but is determined to support Flick. The club's president, Joan Laporta, has expressed confidence in Flick and criticized the referee's decision to send him off. As Barcelona prepares for this pivotal match, they will be hoping for a favorable outcome on the appeal.




“I had nothing against the referee, I wasn't complaining at him but he saw it that way and I have to accept it,” Flick said.


“Today the atmosphere was very good. I like to see this kind of spirit. We are a young team that needs this.”





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