{"id":2744,"date":"2026-09-12T11:38:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T11:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=2744"},"modified":"2026-09-12T11:38:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T11:38:08","slug":"flick-talks-raphinha-cubarsi-hamza-fabregas-rotations-ahead-of-levante-vs-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=2744","title":{"rendered":"Flick talks Raphinha, Cubarsi, Hamza, Fabregas, rotations ahead of Levante vs Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"


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La Liga<\/a> leaders FC Barcelona<\/a> are back in action on Sunday as they take on Levante away at Ciutat de Valencia, aiming to extend their 100% record so far in the 2026\/27 season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With four wins in four games in La Liga, the Catalans are sitting alone at the top of the table, having plundered 17 goals, while conceding only two.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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They also began their UEFA Champions League<\/a> journey on a scintillating note, beating Feyenoord 5-1 earlier this week, and will be eager to carry that momentum forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ahead of the trip to Valencia to face Levante, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, discussing various topics including the latest renewal of Hamza Abdelkarim<\/a> as well as the team\u2019s excellent start.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

On Barcelona\u2019s excellent start<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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While expressing his delight at the way Bar\u00e7a are playing, the German tactician stressed the importance of staying focused and performing consistently, saying:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re very happy to be at this level, but we know we have to show it in every game. We have great quality and we maintain intensity and concentration. If we lose either of these things, it won\u2019t be good.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThis is how we want to play football. I like that we\u2019re enjoying the situation, but we\u2019re staying focused. If we change anything, we\u2019ll be heading in the wrong direction,\u201d<\/strong> he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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On whether there was any room for improvement, Flick remarked: \u201cOur goal and what we want is to be better every day, for everyone to be hungry to improve.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barcelona\u2019s brilliant start has earned praise from all quarters, with Como manager Cesc Fabregas, in particular, hailing the team as \u2018frightening\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Reacting to that the German said: \u201cWe\u2019re focused on what we have in our hands. I\u2019m also impressed with Cesc\u2019s Como. I saw the game against Leipzig and they played very well. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re only thinking about the next match. It\u2019s important to have this mentality of taking it one game at a time. We\u2019re on the right track, but it\u2019s a long road to the end of the season.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barcelona have been unstoppable so far. (Photo by David Ramos\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

On the Levante game<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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When asked if he would be making some rotations on the trip to Levante on Sunday, the manager explained: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s part of the game. The players have to accept it. In each position, we have two or three players who can play, and that\u2019s something we have to accept. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI was very pleased with the performance against Feyenoord the other day. We\u2019re in good form, and we have to keep it up.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Sharing his thoughts on the opponents for tomorrow, the Barcelona head coach stated: \u201cLevante is a team that played a great match against Betis. They are well-structured. They know how to play in attack and it will be a good match to compete in.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

On the players<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Flick also touched upon the recent contract extension of Hamza Abdelkarim, whose new deal runs until 2030 and sees his release clause increase tenfold.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe club has done a great job. He\u2019s a player who performed well in preseason and is competing with other players. He\u2019s a different type of player and a great prospect for the future of the club. We had to keep him,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The German tactician went on to state that the Barcelona squad this year was better than the one he had at his disposal last term.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe squad is better than last year\u2019s. We talk a lot about the attack, because they score a lot of goals, but for me, the defense is very important. And I see that everyone is performing at a fantastic level,\u201d<\/strong> he noted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There was also special praise reserved for Pau Cubarsi<\/a>, who has been excellent for a while now, saying: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cAfter the World Cup, Cubarsi is playing at a different level. I\u2019m very happy. He has confidence and is focused on his body. He has improved physically, especially for his position. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s playing fantastically with the ball, whether alongside Christensen or Gerard.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Pau Cubarsi has made a strong start after an excellent World Cup. (Photo by Alex Caparros\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Talking about his plans with Raphinha and using him as the team\u2019s No. 9, Flick explained that Bar\u00e7a can easily tweak things and turn to several other options.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe have three different profiles, but Gordon, Adeyemi, and Olmo can also play, as well as Ferm\u00edn. We have several options. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cRapha is playing fantastically, he\u2019s incredible. If he keeps playing like this, for me, it\u2019s one of the best teams in the world.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Highlighting the team\u2019s physical preparation coming into the season, the Barcelona head coach remarked:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s a new philosophy. We take into account the players\u2019 movements on the field. New coaches have arrived, but the team\u2019s quality and work ethic are good. The energy is very positive. All the players can feel it. We\u2019re at a high level.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Concluding, Flick was asked if it was difficult for him to motivate the players for La Liga, after having won the title two seasons in a row. In response, he explained: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cNothing has changed compared to the last two years. This year we want to win the Champions League, that\u2019s our goal, but winning La Liga is also important. Winning it three times in a row would be incredible. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWhat I expect most is from how we train and how we stay fit, our diet and sleep. We have to take care of our bodies and minds. Sometimes it\u2019s good to relax a little. We support them. We have experts who know what they\u2019re doing. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe have the infrastructure to improve. We need to improve the facilities, and that\u2019s important. You\u2019ve seen the new gym. I hope it will be finished soon. That way we\u2019ll have more space inside. All to improve the players.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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