Hansi Flick has acknowledged that conflict within a football dressing room is an inevitable part of the game, admitting that Barcelona are not immune to such incidents while drawing a pointed contrast with the chaos that engulfed their opponents Real Madrid in the build-up to Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou.
Speaking ahead of the match that could seal Barcelona’s LaLiga title, Flick was measured and assured in his press conference, emphasising unity, communication and a singular focus on the task at hand.
Asked directly about how he manages internal friction within his squad, Flick chose candour over spin, refusing to pretend that Barcelona exist in a bubble of permanent harmony.
“I will not say that this never happens in our dressing room. It is normal, we are human, everyone makes mistakes and it can happen. But it is important how we react to it,” he said. “I am happy with my team. I always try to listen and explain to players. We have really good communication and this is important in our work.”
His comments came in the context of a week dominated by the extraordinary scenes at Real Madrid’s training ground, where Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni became embroiled in a physical confrontation that ended with Valverde requiring hospital treatment. Flick did not address the Madrid incident directly, but the implicit comparison was impossible to miss.
“When something happens here, we all go in the same direction. Things can happen, but you have to deal with them. That is the way,” he said.
Flick pointed to the unique culture at Barcelona as a source of genuine strength, highlighting the bonds formed through the club’s celebrated La Masia academy as a foundation that makes his squad more resilient than most.
“We have a great relationship. You can see the connection between the players from La Masia, who have known each other since they were 12 or 13. It has to be a part of the club for the next few years,” he said. “Looking to bring people up and improve players is something I really appreciate about this team.”
He was equally emphatic about the collective effort required to reach this point. “The whole team is important, but obviously the work of the La Masia players, with their philosophy and mentality, helps the team enormously.”
Despite the obvious significance of the occasion, Flick was determined to keep his players focused on football rather than the ceremony surrounding it. Barcelona need only to avoid defeat against Madrid to be confirmed as LaLiga champions, but the German manager made clear he has no interest in settling for a draw.
“We have to take the final step. We are playing to win a title. Tomorrow will not be easy. Everyone will give their best. Everyone is professional, and that is something I really appreciate about my team,” he said.
On the Clasico itself, he was equally direct. “I know it is a special match, it is special for everyone, for the players, for the staff. But I am not thinking about anything else, just about playing a great match and winning it. That is what I want to see. We are playing at home, we have a great team and the support of our fans. El Clasico is important for everyone. That is why we want to win it.”
