Hansi Flick talks Olmo, Victor, Szczesny, Pena after Athletic Club 0-2 Barcelona | OneFootball

Hansi Flick was understandably satisfied after his team secured a victory against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.

The win came at a crucial time, especially with the team taking precautionary measures to manage the situations surrounding Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.

Their absence could have been a setback, but the team rallied together to deliver a commendable performance.

“The news arrived on the bus, you should see how the news was received. We are a team and we wanted to win for Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, but also for the team,” said the manager after the match.

“They [Olmo and Victor] are happy. For us, it was a good sign before the game. We wanted to show that we are a team,” he added.

Thoughts on the match

Hansi Flick was happy with the performance. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

The focus and determination displayed by the players highlighted the unity within the squad. The team’s spirit and their collective effort to step up in the absence of key players demonstrated a commitment to their shared goals.

Despite being a relatively young team, their ability to perform under pressure and adapt to challenges has been a key takeaway from recent matches.

“We made a great start, but we are a young team and we have to learn things. But this is the way to play.”

Reflecting on the team’s journey so far, Flick pointed out the promising start they have made this season. However, he emphasised that being a young squad comes with its own challenges, especially in terms of learning and improving.

The loss against Atletico last year was a tough pill to swallow, but the team has bounced back strongly.

“We played very well against Atlético and it was not the best way to say goodbye to the year, but we played very well against Barbastro and today against Athletic, leaving a clean sheet.”

Szczesny ahead of Pena

Wojciech Szczesny started ahead of Inaki Pena. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In terms of team selection, Wojciech Szczesny started the game, while Inaki Pena was on the bench.

Flick confirmed that this decision was made based on his assessment of the team’s needs for the match.

Szczesny’s experience and composure were key factors in ensuring a stable defensive performance. “Tek played and Inaki was on the bench. This was my decision.”

The young players in the team continue to show great potential. While they still have much to learn, their enthusiasm and passion for the game are evident.

Flick believes that this mix of youthful energy and the right approach to the game will define the team’s style in the upcoming matches. With their recent form, the squad looks well-prepared to take on future challenges.

“We are a young team and they can learn many things. But they know how to play and how to enjoy soccer. This is the way we want to show in the next matches,” he concluded.

Source: AS