Hansi Flick: ‘We have to defend better’

Football can be a lot of things, especially ahead of a Champions League semi-final but on Monday, just 24 hours ahead of Tuesday’s clash between Inter Milan and Barça, coach Hansi Flick highlighted the concepts of ‘team’ and ‘enjoyment’ in his pre-game press conference in Italy. 

On the one hand, the coach outlined the importance of the team as a group. Asked about Lamine Yamal and Pedri, and the return of Robert Lewandowski, Flick’s answers always came back to the idea of the team. “We have exceptional players, with Lamine Yamal, who is a genius. But it’s the team that is the most important thing. We need all our players to be at their best,” he added.

Furthermore, the coach also reflected on the defensive mistakes from the first leg. “We have to defend better and change a few things. We all have to involved in our defensive tasks,” said Flick without going into more detail. With Kounde and Balde out injured, the coach neither gave clues as to how the full back spots will be covered.

No pressure

On the one hand the German coach explained that for him the semi-final is a game to ‘enjoy’. Flick rejected any talk of pressure and highlighted the fact that the squad is full of young players who have shown on various occasions that they fear nothing.

On Robert Lewandowski and his return to the squad, Flick explained: “We spoke yesterday [Sunday]. It’s all going well. He’s good, better than we expected and if we need him he can come on.”