“If we play with them, I will have time to watch them,” commented Barcelona manager Hansi Flick on his new number against Real Madrid, Alvaro Arbeloa. Xabi Alonso’s dismissal from the Bernabeu was one of the things we were talking about even in Barcelona’s press conference, as it prepares to face Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey.
On Monday evening, surprisingly, Alonso’s exit was announced, less than 24 hours after Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the Spanish Supercup. Flick expressed confidence in Alonso’s abilities as a manager.
“This is football, it’s not my issue. What I can say is that I have a good relationship with Xabi; we met in Leverkusen when I was in the national team and we kept in touch. It’s football, and I wish him all the best. I’m sure he will have a good job soon for himself and his coaching staff. Football, and we have to move forward with a brilliant coach, but he has a brilliant coach for tomorrow.”
‘Team and team have to believe in you’ – Flick
Flick was asked about the changes that took place at Real Madrid several times, and he said that Alonso’s fate was part of the manager’s life.
“It’s part of football and we can’t change it. The team must believe in you, and the team believes. Those who make decisions must do so, and Real Madrid did it that way, but it’s not my business, it’s not my job. The coach’s job is very difficult; we have many obligations, but in the end, it’s part of our job and we have to live with it.”
‘We have created something special in Barcelona’ – Flick
Given Alonso’s tenure of just seven months in total, Flick was asked how much he appreciates the faith Barcelona President Joan Laporta has shown in him.
“In the end, you never know what will happen, things change, it can happen here too. Football is about winning, and especially in the big clubs. The feeling I had from my first hours here was very clear: working together. And now it feels like a family. The president said it: not only the players, but the staff, the club, the management, Deco, parents, brothers, sisters, we have something important built in one family. here I felt I was in Saudi Arabia, and this situation is very good.
It has also been put to the German coach that his excellent record against Real Madrid has made him a fan favorite in Catalonia.
🚨 Hansi Flick: “Racing Santander is a young, brave team. I like what I saw and the atmosphere in the stadium will be something, so we have to be prepared.” pic.twitter.com/i0KrPw41Py
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 14, 2026
“You have to enjoy these situations because everything changes quickly, and I’m very happy with the way things are going. The people of Barcelona are very kind to me and my team, and I like to hear this. We also know the responsibility we have. That’s why we work hard every day. We won our first title, but it’s done, and now we have to think about the next one.”
“Tomorrow there will be an important match against the team that beat Villarreal, who are third in our league, and did very well. So we will have to play at our best. If you are a Barca player, you have to give everything on the pitch.”
Flick has won five of his six meetings with Real Madrid, as well as the Supercup, four of his four titles against their bitter rivals. The two will meet again in late April with Arbeloa in charge, with a possible fifth La Liga title on the line. On Thursday at 21:00 CEST, Barcelona will face Racing at El Sardinero, top of La Liga and top of the Segunda.
