Barcelona coach Hansi Flick dismissed the concept his aspect have changed Actual Madrid as favourites to win LaLiga after final weekend’s 4-0 Clásico win.
Barça’s victory in opposition to Madrid on the Bernabéu, their tenth in 11 league video games beneath Flick, moved them six factors clear on the prime of the desk.
They face Espanyol on Sunday within the Catalan derby on the Olympic Stadium and will prolong their result in 9 factors with Madrid’s journey to Valencia this weekend postponed as a result of lethal flooding within the east of Spain.
“There’s a lengthy, good distance [to go],” Flick stated in a information convention on Saturday when requested if Barça, unfancied at first of the marketing campaign, have been now the favourites to elevate the title.
“Numerous issues can occur that we do not anticipate. We’re in a very good temper and we now have a move. We’ve to maintain happening. That is our plan. It is like we at all times acted, we put together effectively for the following match.
“After we win, it is also optimistic to rejoice this, however then we now have to concentrate on the following match. It is a lengthy, lengthy highway to the tip of the league.”
After ending October with a 100% document in all competitions, which noticed him named LaLiga’s Supervisor of the Month, Flick is now getting ready for his first Catalan derby.
Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo and Gavi, who all got here off the bench within the win in opposition to Madrid, are all pushing for his or her first begins after coming back from lengthy damage layoffs.
“I do know what it means, a derby, Espanyol in opposition to Barça,” Flick added. “I feel it will likely be a troublesome match. After a very nice week, it is crucial to present 100% like regular with the main target, depth and high quality we now have.
“I’m pleased with [Saturday’s] coaching. The crew confirmed the standard and the issues we wish to see [against Espanyol]. In the event that they try this, the followers will likely be pleased.
“We’ve another night time so we are going to see what occurs in regards to the [starting lineup], however I recognize what I see from Frenkie. You may see within the second half in Madrid, he gave us stability, additionally ball management.
“He is a improbable participant. We’ll see. He additionally had big damage, a variety of months not enjoying, so now we begin with him and it helps us to have extra choices, extra prospects.”
Madrid’s sport at Valencia is one among two matches suspended in LaLiga this weekend as a result of floods which have taken the lives of over 200 individuals.
Villarreal‘s sport in opposition to Rayo Vallecano has additionally been known as off.
Flick despatched a message of assist to these affected by the storms in Spain and urged that all the video games within the nation’s prime flight ought to have been halted this week.
“It is a tragedy,” he stated. “We’ve this in Germany three years in the past. It is actually horrible to see. If we are able to assist the area we are going to try this, in fact, however the different issues the league has to determine that.
“If I might make the choice perhaps I might [postpone all the games] as a result of it is a tragedy for this area, additionally for Spain. Perhaps sure.”
