By Sergio Silva
Dec 14, 2024, 10:36 AM EST
He FC Barcelona receives Leganés this Sunday in a match in which, although German coach Hansi Flick will not be able to be present due to a sanction, he asked his players not to let their guard down to maintain their dominance in the LaLiga standings.
The strategist, who was punished with two games for his behavior in the draw against Betis (2-2) on the last day of the Spanish tournament, downplayed his punishment and focused on getting the three points at home to continue the at the top of the standings in the face of pressure from Real Madrid.
“I have told the team that everything depends on us, that everything depends on whether we play 100% concentrated”said the German this Saturday prior to the match against the ‘pepinero’ team corresponding to matchday 17 of the Spanish championship where they are leaders with 38 points, two more than Madrid.
“All teams try to find our weakness, that is normal, and tomorrow (Sunday) they are going to fight until the end to try to get a point. “I want the team to be 100% focused, I want them to respect the opponent, but we must play our game with our style”he added.
In relation to his punishment, Hansi Flick did not want to fall into controversy although he acknowledged that he is not used to this type of sanctions and asked that they be equally severe in other situations when they involve other coaches, showing that there is some cruelty because it is FC Barcelona .
“I accept the red one. I feel bad, but this is a different league than the ones I was used to (Bundesliga). I just arrived and I already took my card. “I accept it, but I want the referees to decide the same way in all games, also in relation to other benches.”said.
Focused on Leganés
Hansi Flick did not want to say whether there will be any changes in the starting eleven of FC Barcelona, taking into account that their next commitment, the last of this 2024, will be against Atlético de Madrid, another of the teams that are fighting for the top of LaLiga, placing themselves at only three points from the Catalans.
“Tomorrow we play against Leganés and we are still not thinking about the game against Atlético. Decisions have to be made with the players who have played the last games. We also have very high-level players on the bench and it is very good to have fresh legs on the field”he pointed out.
In the same order of ideas, the German did not confirm whether the Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo will be from the beginning this Sunday, although he did make it clear that he hopes he can have some minutes of play on his return after his long injury that has not allowed him to play for the first time. time this season.
“I’m not sure if I’m going to be in the starting eleven, but my plan is for me to play a few minutes tomorrow. How many, I don’t know.”the German said.
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