Girona had put Barcelona’s style of play in check last season. A narrative that was at times superfluous, at others central to Barcelona, which Michel’s Girona had taken over in the two Catalan derbies last season (2-4 and 4-2), the definitive course for president Joan Laporta to get fed up with Xavi Hernández. And it was, precisely, the two duels against Girona that were marked in red by the Barça board. Laporta was more irritated than usual in the first defeat at Montjuïc – “I wanted to sack him,” they recalled in the Board – and did not hide his anger in the fall at Montilivi: “This cannot be.” But Hansi Flick took charge and, according to those in the sporting area, Barcelona “now has a coach.” The change in the Barça dugout was suffered by Michel at home (1-4) and Laporta celebrated it. Of course, so was the dressing room.
When he scored Barcelona’s fourth goal, his second of the campaign, Pedri ran to hug Hansi Flick after Raphinha asked the substitutes to join in the celebration. “I told him that if he wants to play he always has to come and celebrate with me…” joked the Barcelona coach. “No, seriously, before the game he had told me that he was going to score today. That’s why he came to me,” revealed the German coach. Pedri does not hide his connection with Flick nor does he hide when it comes to pointing out the differences with Barcelona last season. “Flick asks me to play without pressure. We work very hard and it shows in the game. The team does not drop after 70 or 80 and maintains its physical level,” said the Canary Islander in an interview with Sports World. Statements that, according to those in the locker room, upset Xavi.
Pedri, however, was not intimidated by Xavi’s anger. On the contrary, he continued to expose the differences after another game in which Barcelona crushed their rival, this time none other than Girona, their nemesis in the last campaign. “We have improved a lot,” explained the Canary Islander about Barcelona’s new pressing. “We are very clear about what the coach asks of us and how to position ourselves. Today he gave us the first goal with Lamine’s pressure,” Pedri concluded. Yamal already has three goals and four assists. And he has participated in some of Barcelona’s goals in all five of Barcelona’s victories in the League. “Lamine has made the difference, he presses very well and that is very important. It is important that everyone presses high. That combination of talent and pressure is very good for us. Lamine has played very well,” said Flick.
Flick’s new Barcelona, essentially his new pressure, also surprised in Girona. “They were far superior. They are a great Barça. We were not able to overcome their first pressure,” Míchel admitted. Flick, meanwhile, is betting on caution. “We have trained very hard, we prepare well for each game. We have to go step by step. We cannot stop. We have to keep going,” concluded the German coach. Laporta enjoyed it in the box. Pedri did on the pitch.
