Hansi Flick insisted that Barcelona had to continue to win to keep the pressure on LaLiga leaders Real Madrid after their 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves.
The 61st minute strike by Robert Lewandowski was enough to see Barcelona going within four points of Carlo Ancelotti's silk, which is stunned by Espanyol on Saturday.
Barcelona is now unbeaten in their last three games in the top-flight, last so many games without defeat between October 6 and November 3, 2024.
But they were made to work for their victory in the Camp Nou, where they registered an expected goals (XG) of just 0.95 of their 11 shots at the purpose of Jesus Owono.
The side of Flick is third and three points behind Atletico Madrid, although the OPTA Supercomputer gave them a 16% chance of lifting the title this season.
“Today we gave a very good answer because it was a tough match and Alaves, they defend really well,” Flick told reporters.
“I think it is a good situation for us, better than before. It was necessary to win today, and the team did well because the pressure was on them.
“Atletico and Real, these are fantastic teams … we have to do our job. We are a few points behind, so we have to win. We have to worry about them.”
Flick also praised Match winner Lewandowski for his contribution to the procedure, in which the Pool his 18th LABERA target of the season against Alaves against Alaves.
The strike by Lewandowski was even his 60th in 90 Leaga performances, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (61 games) and former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez (66 games) that reached that milestone faster in the Spanish top flight in the 21st century.
“He is the best number nine in the box, and it was very important to us today that he scored,” he said.
Lamine Yamal was also impressed by the Blaugrana, so that more opportunities (three) created than every player on the field, while he also won a game-high 15 duels.
The 17-year-old attempt to 21 Dribbels against Alaves (11 completed), most of each Barcelona player in one Lalala game since at least 2005-06 (20 by Lionel Messi vs Mallorca in April 2007)
“What he did in some situations today is incredible and I am very happy that he is playing for Barca,” he said.
Flick also revealed that Gavi, who was collected after a collision of heads with Tomas Conechny, was not seriously injured and said: “I think he was on his way home, nothing happened. This is good news,” he concluded.
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