Flick ahead of PSG-Barcelona: Raphinha? He's fit and will start tomorrow

2026-10-19 · YahooSoccer

Hansi Flick spoke at a press conference ahead of PSG-Barcelona. Here is what the German coach had to say...PSG“His team plays fantastic football, and he is one of the best coaches in the world. I lo...

Here is what the German coach had to say...

PSG

> “His team plays fantastic football, and he is one of the best coaches in the world. I love their intensity, their pressing, how they interchange positions, the flexibility of their system. At this level, they are incredible. He has done a fantastic job”.

The match

> “I think tomorrow is a good test for us. I would like our team to play with confidence and courage, like a team that has won its last eleven matches. We are playing against the best team in the world over the last two years. It is very important for us; it is an opportunity to show what level we are at and how much we can improve. After the match, we will know a lot more”.

The centre-backs

> “We have options. Frenkie can play, and Álex Campos is with us too. I am sure everything will be fine. Perhaps the timing is not ideal, but we have to accept it. We hope Jules [Koundé] will be ready for the weekend, and he could be an option”.

Raphinha

> "Yes, he is fine. He will be in the starting line-up"

Differences from last year's Barcelona

> “Last year was a difficult year. This year, we have played the way we want to from the start. We are a confident team that controls possession. I think it is completely different. We will see what happens tomorrow; we are ready. My players are happy to face PSG tomorrow, a fantastic team with a clear idea of how to play football. It will be a great opportunity to show how good we are”.

El Clásico or PSG: which is more important?

> “It is always the next match. So, tomorrow's”.

Differences between PSG and Barcelona

> “It is a question of maturity. They have matured as a team in recent years. What they have achieved is remarkable. In their last match, they managed to turn things around in a matter of minutes. That is the quality they have. They also have fantastic players on the bench. They are a fantastic team".

The Arda Guler controversy in Real Madrid-Sevilla

> “That is not a question for me. I am afraid you will have to ask someone else”.

A possible 100th win

> “When we started here, we said we were ready. It has been quite a journey. I appreciate the respect and love I have felt from the fans, from the people at Barça and in Barcelona. It is incredible. When you win, everyone is happy. That said, I think the team is doing very well. I am very proud of them. What they have done over these past few weeks has been incredible. The players came back from a long World Cup, and people were wondering what would happen, whether they might not be at 100%, but they are. It is remarkable to see how they train and perform, and the atmosphere in the dressing room and on the pitch”.

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