Hansi Flick's Barcelona dream: 15 more games and European glory

Speaking ahead of a tricky clash with Real Betis, Flick couldn't hide his pride in the squad and the buzzing atmosphere in the dressing room. He also dropped the exciting news that Gavi is now fully fit and raring to go.

"It's going to be a hard-fought match," Flick said of the upcoming Betis tie. "We saw that in the Copa del Rey at home, the scoreline didn't tell the full story of how tough they made it. We'll need to be at our very best to beat them. Managing the players' workload is key; we have to make sure they're fresh and recovered."

Looking back at their recent semi-final win over Atletico Madrid, Flick added, "I've said it once or twice before, we found the right formula on the pitch. The second half was brilliant defensively. It's great to see how much we've improved, especially with the ball. Mistakes happen, but some we can cut out. Overall, we're getting better, and right now, the lads believe in what we're doing. They've got the quality to take on anyone."

On the return of Gavi, Flick revealed, "We'd thought about giving him some minutes against Atletico, but there were doubts, so I held him back. Now, he's got no issues at all. I've spoken to the doctors and physios, he's ready for tomorrow."

Flick was glowing about the team's current mood. "We look at everything," he said. "Every day, we check how they're feeling, their levels, even if they're sleeping well. We measure it all. Eating right, sleeping well, it's massive for them. Winning helps, too, it builds confidence, and the lads believe in themselves. When I hear them talk, it's clear we're in a good place. There's no fear, just belief. I love what I'm seeing in that dressing room."

With a packed schedule, Flick stressed the need for careful management. "When I talk about managing the players, I mean their workload, training and matches," he explained. "It's normal. I chat with the specialists, and we decide together. Our focus is always on the next game â- Betis, not Dortmund. Fresh legs are vital."

Flick isn't shy about his ambitions. "I love to dream," he admitted, "but we've got to focus on the next step. Dreams come true when you work hard and stay sharp. I feel the team believes in itself. We're fighting for everything, we're right in the mix. This is a great moment for us."

So what's behind Barcelona's bold style? "It's all down to hard work," Flick said. "Their attitude and mentality are top-notch, and the environment here is unreal. Everyone's showing the right spirit. It's about what we can give, if everyone's at 100 percent, I'm happy. It's not just the starting eleven; the bench and the stands matter too. It's a big puzzle, and we're fitting it together perfectly."

Despite Barcelona and Real Madrid dominating headlines, Flick isn't counting out the rest. "There's still a long way to go," he warned. "Nine games, nine rounds, that's a lot of points to play for. It's not just a two-horse race. Other teams are in the fight and have the quality to win it."

Flick deflected praise away from himself. "I don't like talking about me," he said. "I've got a fantastic team around me, experts who let me focus on my job: finding the right way to play and giving the lads the tools to improve as players and people. You'd love the vibe in that dressing room."

Finally, Flick tipped his hat to Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini. "He's doing a brilliant job," he said. "A fantastic, experienced manager who gets the best out of every team. You can see his touch, look at how much Antony's come on under him." 

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