Flick: We lost two games, but our approach remains unchanged

Following a sparkling start to the campaign, Barcelona suffered back-to-back defeats against elite opposition in Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. The Catalans are now expected to produce an immediate response, and Saturday night's La Liga clash against Alaves at Camp Nou offers a prime opportunity. Here is what head coach Hansi Flick had to say across several topics during his pre-match press conference. 

Train accident in Spain

"On behalf of our players, the staff, and myself, we express our deepest condolences to everyone affected by the tragic train crash in Toledo. We stand with the families, sending them all our strength and love."

Raphinha's Brazil recall

"That is something I've discussed with Deco. He is a crucial player for us, and he returned injured after the last international break. Naturally, that wasn't ideal for us. But that's how it is, and there's nothing we can do about it. I know Rapha is a captain here and holds the club close to his heart, but he is also Brazilian, and when the national team calls, he answers. Everyone wants to represent Brazil. Personally, if we could manage his minutes a bit, I'd be pleased. We know a round-trip to Singapore is far from ideal, but it's out of my hands."

Back-to-back defeats against marquee opponents

"It's what I've always said: it is a very long road. Nothing is irreversible. We lost to Real Madrid and nobody likes that, but we have to manage it. As I mentioned earlier, I believe winning that game was possible and we created opportunities. But we must accept the defeat and learn from it. We have players sidelined—Jules, Xavi Espart, Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen... it's not easy to navigate, and we have to find solutions. For tomorrow, the objective is crystal clear: the three points are what matter most."

Lamine Yamal missing out on the Ballon d'Or

"Harry Kane deserved to win it as well. You know my opinion on Lamine—I believe he is at the level to win this award. I told him and the squad as much. Pau Cubarsi also deserved to win [the Kopa Trophy]; he had an incredible season and an outstanding World Cup. But what I see and feel is immense pride in Lamine. He has responded brilliantly, and in training, he looks completely focused. That is how champions react, and I'm delighted to see him with that mindset. We accept the outcome. I'm glad it's behind us so we can focus on what really matters to us."

Potential signing of a centre-back

"I mentioned this before: we are always looking for what is best for the squad and how we can improve. We'll see. We still have several weeks before the winter transfer window opens. We discuss many things daily with Deco, Bojan, and my coaching staff. If we can do something, we might."

Defensive inconsistencies

"In the end, defending isn't solely the job of the defenders—it starts right from the striker. Everyone is involved. First and foremost, we cannot give the ball away cheaply. We had some careless turnovers against Real Madrid, and that hurts us. That's a recurring issue, so we need to play with more composure and stay focused. When defending inside the box, tight marking is crucial, and we fell short there too. We must improve in these situations. We work on it in training, analyze it, and discuss it with the players."

Benefits of a rare midweek without a match

"Yes, absolutely. We don't know what lies ahead in future fixtures, but tomorrow everyone must be fully locked in. We need the right reaction, and that's what I expect from the team. We've suffered two defeats, but the team is playing well. We believe in our strength and our quality. Training went very well today, and the atmosphere feels great. Tomorrow, the players have to prove it against an Alaves side that knows how to defend very well. But we are Barca, and we want to show our best version."

Rodri calling for more composure

"I ask the team to control the game, reduce turnovers, and dominate possession. That is key. When you control matches, you can dictate the distribution and keep the opposition at bay. It's vital not to lose the ball cheaply; otherwise, you spend your energy chasing it. We need to improve in these areas, and Rodri is completely right about that."

Frenkie de Jong

"For me, Frenkie is a very important player. When he is at 100%, he is incredible. With the ball at his feet, he possesses immense quality, and with the right work rate, he helps us significantly in defense as well. He is a fantastic player who elevates our level."

De Jong as a centre-back and managing Balde

"We have to deal with the personnel issues. We currently have only two natural centre-backs in Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi. Finding alternative solutions is vital, and that's what we're working on—Frenkie can certainly slot in there. As for Balde, right now he might be lacking the confidence required for his game and the style we implement... He needs that confidence."

Laporta's vote of confidence

"I spoke with the president and Deco, and of course, everything is fine. It's a nice gesture, but I understand the situation. I know we lost two very big games in a week, but I'm doing my job the best way possible. Nothing has changed; I haven't lost an ounce of motivation to lead this fantastic squad. We won our first eleven games and have now suffered two defeats. We need to get back to winning ways—that's our job. But I am convinced our philosophy is the best for this team, and we will stick with it until the end. We all share that belief.