Barcelona's coach, Flick, praises Gavi's performance in the Seoul match, but admits that there are issues that need to be addressed despite the victory.
Barcelona Focuses on Defensive Improvements Ahead of Final Pre-Season Fixtures
After a thrilling 7-3 win over Seoul in a pre-season friendly, Barcelona's new boss, Hansi Flick, has identified areas for improvement as the team prepares for its final pre-season matches.
Flick was pleased with the team's attacking display, which saw braces from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, along with additional goals from Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen. However, he admitted that there are things to fix, particularly in the defensive department.
"We committed some errors after going 2-0 up, and these are things we have to fix," Flick said. He emphasized the need for the team to maintain focus and avoid easing off once they have an early lead.
One player who caught Flick's eye was midfielder Gavi. The youngster scored Barcelona's sixth goal and provided an assist for Christensen's effort. Flick praised Gavi's performance, stating he saw what he wants to see from the midfielder. He also highlighted that Gavi can play as a number six or a number eight, showcasing Flick's focus on solidifying the midfield roles.
Gavi's impressive performance was reflected in the statistics. He won three duels, a total only bettered by Yamal and Fermin Lopez (both four). He also won two tackles, the most among his team-mates in the match. Gavi ended the game with a joint-team-high total for chances created (two).
Flick believes Gavi will have a crucial role in the 2025-26 season. This sentiment is shared by several Barcelona players, with Raphinha, Yamal, Wojciech Szczesny, and Jules Kounde having already renewed their contracts with the club. Frenkie De Jong, who has made 259 appearances for Barcelona since joining in 2019 from Ajax, also expressed his intention to sign a contract extension with the club.
Barcelona will play Daegu FC in their final pre-season fixture in Asia before taking on Como for the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 10. The team will be aiming to carry the positive momentum from their win over Seoul into these matches as they continue their preparations for the new season.
Flick is keen on enhancing Barcelona's defense ahead of the final pre-season fixtures, acknowledging the need to eradicate errors and maintain focus after going up by multiple goals. In the upcoming European leagues, particularly Laliga, the improved defense, coupled with the impressive form of midfielder Gavi, could play a significant role in Barcelona's performances, as Gavi's role in the team is expected to be crucial in the 2025-26 season.
