Flick Dismisses Rival Pressure: Barça Reigns as La Liga Front-Runner After Osasuna Win

Match Reflections

German coach Hans Flick showered his Barcelona squad with praise after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday, stressing that the key was securing three points to seal 2025 at the top of La Liga. He noted the team controlled the game and defended well, and that although chances were limited, the objective was achieved.

In the post-match press conference, Flick said the emphasis was always the victory, and that Barcelona dominated while defensively they were very solid. He added that the team did not create a lot of opportunities, but the target mattered more than volume.

With Real Madrid seven points behind before their clash with Alavés, Flick insisted he does not dwell on rivals and that the focus is to travel to Villarreal and win. He also said it’s good that opponents feel the pressure, but that pressure isn’t something Barça can control.

After a spell of challenging weeks, Flick argued the team has bounced back. He claimed that when nearly all players approach 100% readiness, the true quality of the squad emerges.

Pedri's Decisive Role

Flick highlighted Pedri’s crucial movements as a defining factor in the first goal, which Rafinha converted to give Barça the lead. He praised Pedri as an exceptional talent and described the finish and setup as near perfect, underscoring the player’s high level.

Rafinha also received high praise for his performance, being labeled a constant and vital asset for the team. On the defensive side, Flick commended Eric Garcia for bringing stability and noted Gerard Martinez’s noticeable development as well.

Regarding Pau Kobarci, Flick remarked that performing at this level at 18 is remarkable and congratulated La Masia for its work with young players. He also suggested Pedri and Kobarci form a harmonized duo, praising Kobarci’s calmness and Pedri’s maturity on the pitch.

As for the goalkeeping selection for the King’s Cup clash against Guadalajara, with Chesney unavailable, Flick indicated the decision on Ter Stegen had not yet been made: “We haven’t decided yet; we’ll decide tomorrow or Monday, we still have time to choose the right option.”

Punchline 1: If pressure were a dessert, Barça would order seconds—just not from the rival kitchen.

Punchline 2: Real Madrid hitting the alarm clock early, hoping for a comeback—spoiler alert: the snooze button isn’t a tactic.