Hansi Flick demands strong Barcelona response to Sevilla thrashing

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick wants to see a response from his side this weekend after as they look to bounce back from disappointment last time out.

Barca followed a 2-1 defeat by Paris St Germain in the Champions League with a 4-1 thumping at Sevilla just before the international break, allowing rivals Real Madrid to establish a two-point lead at the top of the LaLiga table.

Now Flick wants to use Saturday’s all-Catalan clash against Girona as a chance to put things right.

“I want to see a change. We have to fight,” said Flick.

“We have to start the game well, differently from how we did in Seville. We have to be at our highest level and play our best football. We need to show attitude on the pitch. We’re Barcelona, and our supporters want to see us fight for every ball.

“This October break could be good for us. We have a run of games coming up, and I’ve told the players we have to fight for every title. Playing our best football to win. That’s what I want from this team.”

There are a number of fitness issues for the German to contend with, with Ferran Torres sidelined with a hamstring complaint sustained on Spain duty. Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez are both back in contention but will be unable to complete a full 90 minutes.

Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha remain out, but they now hope the Brazilian will be ready for El Clasico against Real at the end of the month.

When it comes to plugging those gaps, the head coach is looking to the club’s fabled La Masia production line, as well as at the senior squad members who have been on the periphery this term.

“We have to find solutions and manage the situation, that’s our job,” said Flick.

“The academy players may get their chance, as well as those who haven’t had many minutes so far.”

Girona sit 18th in the league but landed their first win of the season in their previous match against Valencia.

Head coach Michel is aware of Barca’s fitness issues but knows that they have plenty of high-calibre options at their disposal.

“They will have fewer options to make an XI but those who play will be top players who could play anywhere in the world,” he said.

“For this reason we have to focus on ourselves. We will have to defend a lot and attack when the time comes.”

“Talking about hurting Barca is easier than doing it on the field. All teams think about how to hurt Barca, but then you have to put it into practice.”

Michel is able to call on a strong squad, boosted by the return to full fitness of Viktor Tsygankov and Abel Ruiz.