Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has told his players to forget about last season’s struggles against Girona as the La Liga leaders put their winning start to the new campaign on the line against their Catalan rivals on Sunday. Minnows Girona were the surprise package of the 2023-24 season, battling for top spot in only their fourth top-flight campaign and stunning Xavi’s Barcelona 4-2 both home and away. Flick told a press conference: “We’ve won four successive games and we want to continue with that. I know it will be difficult because Girona play really well. It’s a game more of the highest level, of Champions League level, and we’re away from home.
“But we have confidence because we have quality. We need to play at 100%, it’s important that our players give their best.” He added of the team’s twin defeats to their neighbours: “I saw a lot of Girona last season and I was impressed by what their coach did and how the players responded. But we know how we have to play and I’m sure the players will be at the right level.” Barca start their actual Champions League campaign on Thursday with a trip to Monaco, but Flick added: “Tomorrow is the day, I’m not thinking about the Champions League, only on Girona.“It’s like a Champions League game and good test for the Champions League games, I’m really looking forward to it.” (PA Media/DPA)
