The head coach of “Barcelona” Hans-Dieter Flick shared his views ahead of the start of the second season under his leadership. The Catalan giant, under the German specialist, in the very first year won the Spanish Cup, the Super Cup, and the national championship. Now the mood in the dressing room is different: the achievements have been recorded, but the focus is directed forward.
— To the question “Will the first season be more difficult than the second?”, a precise answer will be given by time, — Flick said. — I can say one thing with confidence: the team is working hard; in training we have reached the level of demands I want. We intend to continue in this spirit, with this discipline.
According to the coach, these trophies won do not mean reaching the destination. Three titles are not a limit but a starting line. The concept is simple: development, growth, and striving for victory in every match. Each contest is a separate exam, each entry onto the pitch is a new opportunity. Accordingly, the work diary has also been reviewed: intensity has been increased, and work on details has become even deeper.
— We have reached the quality trainings we intended, — Flick says. — We have a plan regarding physical preparation, tactical discipline, and decision-making speed. The analyst group is working, and the medical staff carefully monitors the schedule. The most important thing is to maintain this stability.
The philosophy has not changed either: “today’s victory is motivation for tomorrow’s work.” In Flick’s opinion, big goals are achieved only by a step-by-step path. Here the word “luck” works less than the term “work.” The team fights with itself every day: the accuracy of passes, cohesion in pressing, and cleanliness in positional play — all of these are the most important items in the working notes.
At the same time, the team fully understands the situation: the level of competition in the domestic championship is high. Every opponent has its own style, every away trip is a difficult test. Here Flick points to workload as the main factor: a dense schedule, the recovery cycle, rotation, and proper use of youth. Therefore the word “character” comes to the fore again — to remain at one tempo even in the last minutes, mental stability is required.
— We understand everything well; in this league it is not easy to keep the top, — the coach says. — Therefore we work with all our resources. Knowing our path, we move forward at every step. Three trophies are the beginning of the road, while the goal is much greater.
In conclusion, in the “blaugrana” camp, not poetic words but practical work predominates. The goals are clear, the tasks are defined. The second season is an opportunity for new experience, new challenges, and a more mature team portrait. Flick and the squad intend not to miss this opportunity.
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