Barcelona's young team must learn from their recent setbacks in LaLiga ahead of a tough Champions League assignment at Borussia Dortmund, says coach Hansi Flick.
On Saturday, Barcelona bounced back to a 2-2 draw against Real Betis, allowing Real Madrid to cut their lead at the top to two points, while Los Blancos had a game in hand.
That was far from the ideal result ahead of Wednesday's match against 2023-24 Champions League runners-up Dortmund, but Flick is not too concerned about Barcelona's slump.
“In the end it all depends on how the season ends. We are convinced,” Flick told reporters.
“We have to play the way we want to play and that's how we will continue to improve. We are very clear about that. We are a very young team and that is normal.”
“We lost two points that hurt us a lot, but we have to learn from our mistakes. We are very united.”
Barcelona have won just two of six games in LaLiga since beating rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in October, although they are riding high in the Champions League with four wins from five games.
❝ 𝑰𝑻'𝑺 𝑨𝑵 𝑼𝑵𝑩𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑬𝑽𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝑨𝑻𝑴𝑶𝑺𝑷𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑬 ❞— HANSI FLICK#BVBBarça | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/aZ3Yzna7Vn
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 10, 2024
Wednesday's match at the Westfalenstadion will have extra significance for striker Robert Lewandowski, who played four seasons with Dortmund and won two Bundesliga titles with the club.
The Polish striker has been in remarkable form this season, scoring 23 goals in 21 games in all competitions.
Asked whether the Blaugrana had become too dependent on Lewandowski, Flick said: “We need Robert, but Robert needs the team. A player alone can never win a match on his own.
“If you look at the number of goals he has scored so far, I think you can see that he is very lucky to have this team around him.
“But he also has a lot of quality. In the penalty area he is the most deadly and important… Right now he is in a great form, a great phase.”
Barca could potentially call on Ronald Araujo, with the defender making his first appearance in the squad since suffering a muscle injury while playing for Uruguay in the Copa America in July.
However, Flick did not give a timetable for his full return, adding: “We are all happy that Ronald is back. It's nice to have him with us during training.
“He is a great presence and the team needs him. He motivates his players and also me, the coach. I like him, I like what I see from him. He is a player who gives everything.”
“We'll see how he does tomorrow and how he will develop in the coming days and next weekend. I can't say anything now.”
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