Flick: This season was tough for Barcelona, and the next will be even tougher

Barcelona will conclude their title-winning La Liga and Spanish Super Cup season this Saturday evening. The champions travel to Valencia for their final league match before the players head off for their break. Among the heroes of this campaign is coach Hansi Flick. Today's news from the club confirms that assistant coach Thiago Alcantara is departing. Here's what Flick had to say at his regular press conference:

How are you approaching the match against Valencia? Will you be following what's happening in Oslo (the Women's Champions League final between Barça and Lyon - editor's note)?
That's our plan. We wish the girls all the best; they've had a fantastic season, and we're rooting for them. As for us, we want to do our job – a good way to finish with a win, and that's exactly what we aim to do.

Do you, like Joan Laporta, believe everything has gone better than expected?
It's been a fantastic period with five trophies, but we're hungry for more. That's our mindset. You always have to improve the team, and we're focused on that. It's important for the future of the team and the club, and that's what we'll be doing. Our commitment to winning trophies is 100%. We all dream of winning the Champions League, and we're all working towards it. It's not easy, but it's our big goal.

How is Ferran Torres' contract renewal progressing?
We're not discussing his future right now. He has another year left; there's time. We'll talk about it later. What I see is that he's done a great job in recent weeks, and his attitude has been positive. His performance has been good.

Besides Lewandowski, has anyone else told you they will be leaving the club?
No, there's no one else.

Is the departure of Thiago Alcantara final?
I discussed this with the staff. My relationship with him – when he was assistant coach at Bayern, and then I was promoted… I had a conversation with him that wasn't easy. We changed the philosophy, but his mentality and attitude were incredible. I value my work with him. He's amazing; he helped me as an assistant these past two years. I could always talk to him. I will miss him. But he has his own plans. I hope he returns to this field someday. Having people like him is a good thing.

How is Jules Kounde?
He had a minor issue. Everyone wants to play in the World Cup, and we have everyone available. We're taking care of him. We will manage the situation, and he will undergo treatment. He will work with the staff. He's progressing well.

Did you expect more recognition from Real Madrid?
I've said it many times – I only focus on my team and club. I have a lot of work to do, and the rest doesn't interest me. This season was tough, and the next one will be even tougher. We need to be ready and work hard.

Can you match Cruyff and Guardiola with three consecutive La Liga titles?
I am 100% motivated to win the third. We need to play our best football; that's the big goal. We will give everything to achieve it. Other clubs will also want to win La Liga, but that is our objective.

What was the key moment in winning the title?
I'm a positive person, but when we scored the second goal against Real Madrid (May 10th), I was convinced we had won La Liga. Against Getafe away… it was tough. The team's mentality in that match impressed me. That's when I saw we would win the title.

How is Fermín López mentally (missing the World Cup due to injury)?
It's very tough. He had an exceptional season. It hurts him, and it hurts us too. We expected him to play in the World Cup; that's every footballer's dream. But that's life. He needs to keep working. We support him, and I'm sure he'll come back stronger.

Do you see yourself as the Guardiola of City, but at Barça?
Me here for 10 years? I don't think so. At 70 years old… it wouldn't be good for me to be here. Pep is incredible – 10 years at such a level. Pep is the best coach in the world. He proves it year after year… even when things weren't going well, he knew how to manage the situation. He always finds a solution to improve things, as seen by the trophies he has won. He is exceptional. I wish him a good rest, but I hope he comes back because he is young.