PAMPLONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 28: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on prior to the LaLiga match between CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Sadar on September 28, 2024 in Pamplona, Spain.

Barcelona executive says Hansi Flick continues to impress with almost ‘the same squad as last year’

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

The form and consistency that FC Barcelona continues to show this season is something truly extraordinary. Under the leadership of Hansi Flick, La Blaugrana have looked like a team reborn out of their own ashes. Dominant against most opponents, but even the top dogs are beginning to struggle against Barcelona now.

With the latest victim being none other than Bayern Munich, a team that Barça has just thrashed 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League, Hansi Flick’s team seems to be on a mission. Ever since his appointment for this season as the team’s new head coach, there has been a special spark about this Barcelona team.

Now, while making a phone call to address some questions for a recent event, club executive Enric Masip was also asked about Hansi Flick’s Barcelona and the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid. As highlighted by SPORT, the Barcelona executive was clear about the fact that the German tactician has unlocked a team that is still mostly ‘the same squad as last year’ from Xavi Hernandez’s time as head coach:

“He’s given us a new boost, which is exactly what Laporta and the board were looking for. He’s made the necessary adjustments with practically the same squad as last year, except for Dani Olmo.”

For Masip, this new-look Barcelona team continues to excite the fans and the positive atmosphere around their progression is something truly special:

“People are excited, you can feel the joy within the team and the coach. This creates expectations, but we have to meet them. The journey can be nice, but if you don’t win, it leaves you disappointed. This is all about winning, but the vibes are very positive, and we are very happy with the changes we’ve made.”

One of the other major things that the club executive highlighted was how this team has a certain winning mentality about them, irrespective of how they play at times:

“We are winning games and entertaining people, which is something we’ve always aimed for. It’s not always possible to play well, but people are enjoying it.”

Moreover, with Hansi Flick having been quite reliant on La Masia and the youngsters this season, Masip believes that a combination of these factors has allowed the Barcelona team to progress as they have:

“There’s a wave of young players bringing talent, enthusiasm, and freshness. That, along with the coach, has allowed the team to take a very important step forward.”

Lastly, addressing the upcoming El Clasico encounter against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, Masip believes that it will be a clash of ‘two titans’ and that there is no clear favorite in these games:

“It’s being played at the Bernabéu, which is an impressive stage. Madrid is a team that always has the ability to compete, and it’s a clash of two titans, two different styles, two clubs with two different philosophies. It’s the best match you can watch in the world… I want my team to win, and I believe they can, but we know who we’re up against, and it’s very open.”

With the attention now back towards La Liga, Hansi Flick and his men must not lose their momentum as they prepare for the grand clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. A win there could truly take the trajectory of this season to a whole new level, and that is exactly what Barcelona will be aiming for.

Tags Barcelona vs Real Madrid Enric Masip