Hansi Flick Addresses Barcelona's Recent Struggles, Raphinha's Injuries, and Alaves Clash

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick held a press conference ahead of his side's home fixture against Alaves as the Blaugrana look to bounce back from consecutive defeats against Real Madrid in El Clasico and PSG in the Champions League. Flick discussed Raphinha's frequent injury setbacks while on international duty with Brazil, admitting that while the travel and physical toll are far from ideal, the club respects the player's deep commitment to his national team. The coach also addressed defensive vulnerabilities caused by mounting injuries, emphasizing that securing all three points remains the immediate priority.

Furthermore, Flick praised Lamine Yamal's professional reaction following the Ballon d'Or outcome and noted that the club remains open to potential winter reinforcements if the right opportunities arise to strengthen the squad. Concluding his remarks, the German tactician highlighted the indispensable quality of Frenkie de Jong, describing the Dutch midfielder as a vital player who elevates the team's overall standard when fully fit.