Hansi Flick on Ronald Araujo returns to Barcelona XI: ‘I usually say step by step but…’
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was delighted with the way his team played following a 2-1 win over Albacete in the Copa del Rey, which gave his team a chance to enter the semi-finals of the competition. It was also an important event for Ronald Araujo, who returned to the starting XI and scored the winning goal.
Besides, Barcelona needed a late goal-line clearance from Gerard Martin to win the game. Before that, Barcelona was in control of the game, but they faltered in the final.
“These are the games we have to win. We are in the semifinals and we are happy. It was a difficult game, we had many chances. I am proud of the team because we play every three days. The team is always ready and prepared. We deserved to win.”
“Cup matches like this are always difficult. Albacete is a good team in this Copa del Rey. We created many chances and wasted them, and I think we made it difficult for us.”
‘We need to improve our finishing’ – Hansi Flick
After recent games against Real Sociedad and Elche, Flick praised his side’s ability to create chances, despite their lack of finishing. Barceloa finished the game with 16 shots, but only 6 on target.
“We have to improve the way we finish but we can’t talk about the concept, if you look at the way we played on Wednesday, Saturday and today, Tuesday, the team is fighting until the end, we have to win these World Cup games, we have done it.”
In general, he was happy with his performance.
“We played on Wednesday, we played on Saturday, and today is Tuesday: three games in less than a week. That’s what I mean when I say the team is always there. We won the first and second half, although it was tight in the end, but that’s how it is.”
Click on Ronald Araujo’s resume
Another highlight for Barcelona was the return to the starting line-up of Ronald Araujo, who is the captain of the team and scored the winner. The Uruguayan had started the game in about two months.
“It’s really good. I couldn’t say step by step for him, but it’s very good. Now he has scored a very important goal, I think it can help him to gain more confidence. He believes in himself a lot. And this is what we need, what he needs, and we help him to do that. In the end he realized that he was tired, but it’s like this.”
Araújo: “I’m doing very well, step by step. I feel good, little by little I’m showing it. Hansi is like a father to us and we’re very happy with him. He’s been really good to me.”
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 3, 2026
Deco: ‘We’re sad about ter Stegen’s injury’
Meanwhile, Deco also spoke to TV3 before the game, responding to news that on-loan goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could miss a few months due to injury. MD quoted his answer.
“We have left Ter Stegen, who is on loan from Girona. It was a good time for him, and we are sad about his injury. Marc’s condition has not gone as expected because of this injury, and now Girona and the medical team have to see how the recovery will be handled.”
Joao Cancelo, Barcelona’s sole selection in the January transfer window, struggled in his debut and was taken off at half-time. “He gave us the opportunity to play both sides and we are happy with what we did,” said Deco about the Portuguese defender.
