Up next for FC Barcelona is an encounter against Swedish side BSC Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League. Their last outing against Osasuna, a frustrating 4-2 defeat, will definitely have fuelled them team heading into this game. However, no opponent must be underestimated, and Barcelona should know that by now.
Ahead of the game, Hansi Flick attended the press conference and he was accompanied by La Masia youngster and now first-team regular, Marc Casado. The 21-year-old, despite playing his first ever season at the highest level, has already established himself as a key player for the German coach.
As highlighted by SPORT, he made sure to let it be known that he seems to have full faith in his own abilities and he believes that this current version of himself is the best one yet:
“It’s possible that this is my best moment, yes. Everyone is helping me feel comfortable and give my best. I hope things can continue like this.”
However, Casado made sure to highlight the fact that not all of the credit is his own to take. Instead, he gave his coach the flowers he deserves for helping him find his groove and giving the entire team a clear blueprint:
“With the coach, everything is very clear; we know what we have to do. We also work a lot on the tactical side, analyzing our opponents closely. We trust him, and that’s why things will go well for all of us.”
Furthermore, he did not forget to highlight the quality of his teammates and how they have made the jump from the subsidiary to the first team for him feel much easier thanks to how comfortable it feels to play alongside them:
“I’m feeling comfortable. Both the coach and the entire squad are helping me a lot. The difference is clear (between the subsidiary and the first team), both physically and in terms of quality, because jumping up so many levels at once makes a difference. But the team is helping me a lot. It’s easier to play alongside world-class players like Pedri or Raphinha.”
The Barcelona youngster also touched upon other subjects, including the team’s aspirations for the UEFA Champions League and their immediate objective when it comes to the game against Young Boys at the Montjuic Stadium:
“The team is eager to win our first Champions League match. Nobody likes losing, but we’re working every day to give 100% and win, and we hope to do so tomorrow.”
While the team is yet to register their first win in the Champions League this season, having lost their opener to Monaco, they seem to feel confident about their games moving forward. For both Marc Casado and the rest of his teammates, this upcoming game will be a crucial one.