Barcelona headed into the international break with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon. This win provisionally extends the Catalans’ lead in the La Liga title race to seven points, though this could be reduced to four if Real Madrid triumphs in the upcoming Madrid derby.
During his post-match press conference at Spotify Camp Nou, head coach Hansi Flick shared his reflections on the match. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, acknowledging it wasn’t an easy game, especially after a demanding schedule. Flick praised Rayo Vallecano’s performance, remarking that “it wasn’t our best game, but Rayo played fantastically.” He commended their coach, Iñigo Pérez, for his team’s “great style and football.” Despite their opponent’s strong showing, Flick was pleased Barcelona secured the crucial three points.
Flick Praises Joan Garcia’s Standout Performance
Joan Garcia emerged as Barcelona’s star player against Rayo, making several vital saves to secure the clean sheet and the win. Flick was particularly impressed with his goalkeeper, who is set to join the Spain squad for the international break. Flick stated, “He has shown his strength and quality, keeping a clean sheet. That’s why we brought him to Barça. I’m happy for him; he deserves to be in the national team.”
Flick also shared his satisfaction with Ronald Araujo, who netted Barcelona’s decisive goal at Spotify Camp Nou. “I’m very happy because he scored an important goal for the team,” Flick commented, adding that Araujo “has shown stability and is crucial in corners. This goal will boost his confidence.”
Joao Cancelo’s Condition Confirmed: Not Injured
Regarding Joao Cancelo, who also had an impressive performance against Rayo, Flick clarified that despite his late substitution, the player is not injured. Flick praised Cancelo, saying, “He is not injured. I congratulate him; he had an incredible second half. We had to substitute him, but his endurance was incredible. I’m very happy for him and his performance; he did very well.”
