FC Barcelona Coach Flick Discusses Olmo Case And Praises Young Gun After Barbastro Win

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick briefly discussed the registration debacle related to Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, while also praising young debutant Toni Fernandez, following a Copa del Rey clash with Barbastro on Saturday.

The Catalans advanced to the tournament’s last 16 after overcoming its hosts 4-0 away from home.

The biggest news surrounding the Blaugrana on matchday was that La Liga and the RFEF once more refused playing licenses for Olmo and Pau Victor, meaning Flick was naturally asked about the topic once more following his return to the dugout after a two-match suspension.

“We have to be professional and accept the situation of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. I try not to let it affect the team’s performance,” Flick said.

“Everyone wants Olmo and Victor to be with us, but we were focused on the match against Barbastro. We can’t do anything about it. We have to accept it, be professional and work on the pitch,” he added.

History was made in this weekend’s win with Toni Fernandez becoming Barca’s second-youngest debutant after Lamine Yamal.

“Of course he has a lot of talent, he wasn’t afraid. He went straight into the field, took the corner and kicked it, which is great. It’s good to see him back after being out for a long time due to injury,” the German said about Fernandez.

Ansu Fati was of course the Lamine of his day and the most talked up La Masia talent at the turn of the decade.

Though he didn’t start as previously expected, the number 10 got minutes but didn’t exactly impress.

“Ansu has almost always played on the left and I prefer him to play in that position and not in the attacking midfield,” Flick clarified.

After a poor run of results, which contributed to Barca losing its six-point lead over Real Madrid who it now trails by five at the La Liga summit, Flick said that winning the first fixture of 2025 was “important”.

“We had to start the year like this, coming from where we came from. We were very good in defense. We didn’t give our opponents any chances and we converted the chances we had, we were very focused,” he concluded.