Barcelona vs. Las Palmas: Key Team News and Match Preview for La Liga Clash
Barcelona will look to bounce back from two winless games in La Liga when they face UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday. The team recently lost to Real Sociedad and drew with Celta Vigo, allowing Real Madrid to close the gap to just four points. With a game in hand for Madrid, Barcelona needs a victory after their midweek win over Brest in the UEFA Champions League.
Team News
Coach Hansi Flick shared positive updates about the team’s morale, stating, “In training, you could see how the team is coming along well.” Key winger Lamine Yamal is back from injury and ready to play. Flick commented, “He is back and ready to play, we haven’t decided if he will start, but I think he can and will play.”
Marc Casado is suspended, and Flick hinted that Gavi could replace him in the lineup. “He is on the right track. There is no doubt that he is 100% fit,” Flick added.
Flick also mentioned Ronald Araujo’s progress, saying, “He’s already training and getting better. He’s very close to playing matches again.” With upcoming away games against Mallorca and Real Betis, Flick emphasized the importance of focusing on the match against Las Palmas. “Tomorrow the best players will play,” he stated.
Frenkie de Jong’s Situation
Flick discussed Frenkie de Jong’s challenges after returning from injury. He said, “He was injured and now he is progressing. I have to decide that the players are at 100%.” Flick is focused on winning and believes De Jong needs to regain his confidence with more minutes on the field.
When asked about De Jong being whistled by fans during the Brest game, Flick expressed his hope for fan support. “The fans are fantastic, and when players give their all, the fans see it,” he said.
Celebrating 125 Years of Barcelona
Barcelona is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Flick shared his pride in being the coach, stating, “It’s an honor to be Barça’s coach.” He praised the club’s history and expressed admiration for its culture. Flick also noted that he has no clear information about the potential return to Spotify Camp Nou, focusing instead on training the team.
Regarding other clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City, Flick stated, “I concentrate on my team. I’m not interested in what happens at other clubs.” He wished them well, particularly for Pep Guardiola, who he hopes will see better results soon.