Hansi Flick has warned Barcelona against complacency ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray, insisting that his side must prove their quality on the pitch despite the confidence and ambition within the squad.
Speaking to the media in Istanbul on the eve of the match, the Barça head coach made it clear that his primary objective is to secure victory while maintaining the hunger and commitment that have characterised the team’s performances.
“All I want is to win. That’s what we all want, and that’s our objective,” Flick stated.
The German coach expressed satisfaction with the mentality of his players, highlighting their continued determination despite the achievements many have already enjoyed in their careers.
“Of course, we have that hunger, and I share it with the team. Many of them won the World Cup, and we checked whether they still had that hunger. And yes, they do,” he explained.
Flick also stressed the importance of maintaining the right attitude throughout the season, both for the supporters and for the people closest to the players.
“We have to work for the fans, for our families… It’s difficult, and it’s a long journey,” he added.
One of the key talking points of the press conference was the condition of Gabriel Jesus. Flick confirmed that the forward is ready to feature against Galatasaray, although he stopped short of revealing whether the Brazilian would start the match.
“Of course, he’s ready to play. Whether he plays or not, we don’t know yet. We’ll decide after training,” the Barcelona manager explained.
Flick also admitted that Gabriel Jesus’ arrival and integration into the squad had been a positive surprise.
“We’re very happy with him. It was a little surprise, we have to admit that. His behaviour is fantastic, and he’s a great player,” he said.
Flick expects a demanding encounter against Galatasaray, particularly given the Turkish side’s attacking quality and the intimidating atmosphere awaiting Barcelona in Istanbul.
“We expected Galatasaray to play the way they did in their last match. They have very good attackers, and we have to adapt. You always have to adapt to your opponent and to what you need. That’s what we’ll do tomorrow,” he said.
The Barcelona boss specifically emphasised the importance of defensive organisation when dealing with dangerous forwards such as Victor Osimhen.
“First of all, we have to be ready. It’s one of the best atmospheres in the world. Some of the things you see here are incredible. I’ve watched them play against big teams, and they’ve improved a lot. They have good players. For us, it’s important to stay together and work defensively,” Flick warned.
Despite Barcelona’s strong performances and growing reputation, Flick refused to discuss favouritism, insisting that every match presents a fresh challenge.
“I don’t know whether it’s pressure or the result of how we train. I always say that I’m very happy with the way we train and with the atmosphere within the team. But every match is different. Every game starts from zero. It will be difficult, and we have to prove ourselves,” he said.
Flick also underlined the privilege of competing at this level while warning that football fortunes can change quickly.
“It’s a privilege to be in this position. We work incredibly hard, and for me, it’s a long journey until the end. We have to approach every single match with the same mentality we had at the beginning,” he explained.
“It’s a privilege to be here, but in football, things can change. I can see that everyone is ready for the match.”
Flick was also asked about Real Madrid’s recent criticism of refereeing decisions but refused to get involved in the controversy, reiterating that his attention is firmly on Barcelona’s upcoming European fixture.
“I hope that one day you’ll learn that I never answer questions about other teams. We’re about to play against Galatasaray. Let’s respect Galatasaray. The stadium is fantastic, the atmosphere…” he replied.
The Barcelona coach’s response made it clear that he had no intention of fuelling the debate surrounding Real Madrid, choosing instead to focus on the challenge facing his own team.
Flick was similarly reluctant to comment when asked whether he would prefer Vinícius Júnior to be available for the Clásico scheduled for October 25.
The German coach responded with a touch of irony, dismissing the question without offering a definitive opinion.
“You can ask me that in two weeks,” he said.
Once again, Flick avoided being drawn into discussions about Barcelona’s biggest rivals, keeping the focus on Tuesday’s Champions League encounter.
Another subject raised during the press conference was Aleksey Batrakov, the 21-year-old Russian attacking midfielder who has been attracting attention with his performances for Galatasaray.
Batrakov has openly expressed his dream of playing for Barcelona one day, prompting Flick to share his assessment of the young midfielder’s abilities.
“I’ve watched a lot of matches, and after the last one, I have to say that he’s a great player,” Flick admitted.
The Barcelona manager was clearly impressed by the youngster’s talent but remained cautious when asked whether the Catalan club could eventually pursue a move for him.
“If you’re young and talented, why not dream? We have to try everything,” Flick said.