Hansi Flick: Barcelona Must Develop Rapidly To Win La Liga

Hansi Flick insists Barcelona should not slip to win La Liga (Instagram/@fcbarcelona).

JAKARTA - Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said his team had to thrive despite a 2-0 win against Las Palmas on Sunday, February 23, 2025, to return to the top of La Liga.

Atletico Madrid had overtaken the Blaugrana by beating Valencia who played the game first. However, the Catalan team returned to the top of the standings after winning 2-0 through goals in the second half from Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.

Real Madrid, who are in second place, can equal Barcelona's points by 54 points, one point ahead of Atletico, when they host Girona on Sunday. The race for the La Liga title is even more interesting.

"In the first half, I lost 5-10 percent of the players, maybe more. It's about position placement, bait, all this stuff."

"We can't do that. We have to grow a lot after this game. It's also about controlling the penalty box."

"It's not good. We need players in the penalty area, in the right position. We don't always build attacks in midfield."

"However, it is also very important in the penalty box. I am not happy with that and this is where we can do better."

"The players are also unhappy with our performances, but are very happy with the three points."

"We're still at the top of the standings and it's a good situation. We've always said we want to improve, be better, be a better team. I think today we have to develop a lot," Flick said in his assessment of his team's performance against Las Palmas.

Apart from the three points, there are also positive things for Flick in the form of a substitute player, Olmo and Torres, who scored the match-winning goal at the Estadio Gran Canaria.

Olmo, who has fully recovered after a recent injury, opened the scoring in the 62nd minute with his first goal since November 2024, fired a shot that hit the bar before entering the net after exchanging passes with Lamine Yamal.

Torres' shot in stoppage time also hit the crossbar as the Spaniard, like Olmo, proved his ability to play more regularly and showed the depth of the squad available to Flick.

"Olmo scored the first goal and it was very important to us. He was injured and maybe the other players were fitter (recently), but Dani was very important."

"He needs these minutes to adapt and we are happy he scored. That's also good for him."

"However, I'm also happy with Ferran. He has scored a lot of goals and is on the bench, it's not easy for him."

"They play well. They are always the choice to start XI," said Flick.

Barcelona, who are now unbeaten in 13 matches by 2025, must rise immediately before the next match.

They will host Atlatico on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals.

Atletico won 2-1 when they met at the Olympic Lluis Companys Stadium at the La Liga event before Christmas.