Hansi Flick: 'I liked what I saw'
It was the first La Liga match at Spotify Camp Nou and it was also FC Barcelona's first victory, and Hansi Flick was very pleased with his team's performance in the 2-0 win over Athletic Club. "We played well, I liked what I saw, and we can still improve. We have potential," said the German coach.
Regarding this scope for improvement, which he linked to a summer affected by limited preparation due to the World Cup, the Barça coach said: "At the moment, I like the level of our play, but we still need to improve, which is normal. Six points from our first two matches is very good."
Espart, Gordon, Rodri and Bernal
He also praised the performances of players such as Xavi Espart, who made his debut as a registered first-team player: "He played very well, and it isn't easy. He had a fantastic match, both on and off the ball. He is always focused and has an excellent tactical understanding. He has even more potential, and we are working with him every day to help him improve further."
Flick also spoke highly of Anthony Gordon, highlighting how his pace and intensity benefit the team. "He's only been here for two and a half weeks. He has the potential to reach an even higher level." The Barcelona coach also commented on Rodri, who made his debut for FC Barcelona: "Everyone is happy that he's playing for Barça. He is the perfect player for our philosophy and style of play."
Finally, Flick singled out Marc Bernal for praise: "He also also had a fantastic match, and I'm very pleased with him."