Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was satisfied with his team’s performance against Olympiakos on Tuesday evening, scoring six goals as they blew past the Greek giants. The game was close until a red card for Olympiakos’ Santiago Hezze was sent off on the hour-mark though.
The star of the show for Barcelona was undoubtedly Fermin Lopez, who scored his first ever hat-trick, which he described as a ‘living out a childhood dream’ to the media aferwards. Flick praised how complete a player he is after the match, having scored all three with his weaker left foot.
“Fermin put in a great performance. Three goals, the first one very important to open the scoring. He’s a player who has it all: he’s dynamic, and we need his speed as well. He scores, he runs, he’s very complete,” he told MD.
Roony Bardghji came off the bench and immediately lit up the Montjuïc. Just a minute after replacing Lamine, the Swedish winger pulled off a stunning elastico, leaving his marker behind before assisting Fermín for his hat-trick goal. @RogerTorello pic.twitter.com/P1htIcv89M
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 22, 2025
Lamine Yamal and preparation for El Clasico
Meanwhile Lamine Yamal played 75 minutes before being replaced by Roony Bardghji, as he continues his recovery from injury. Flick confirmed that there were no injury issues with the 18-year-old.
“Lamine has no problems. The win and the ability to score were very important for him and the rest of us. And Sunday will be a different game. If you look back, he’s always performed in the big games, I have no doubts about him. El Clasico is a very important match, but not just for Lamine, but for the whole team. We have to prepare well for this game.”
The German coach was keen to emphasize that last season’s wins over Real Madrid would count for little, as his side looked ahead to El Clasico on Sunday.
“That’s part of the past, now we are in a different situation, but I am optimistic, I think we can win in Madrid, we have a great team, we will recover two or more players, and we have time to rest and prepare for the match.”
🗣 Coach Hansi Flick on the Champions League win vs Olympiacos pic.twitter.com/KmGsv1gYYQ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 22, 2025
Barcelona welcomed Ferran Torres and Raphinha back to training on Wednesday, and are hoping to have both available. Flick did admit that before the red card, his side were troubled by Olympiakos.
“Olympiakos played very well at the start, giving us problems coming out from the back, but Fermin’s goal gave us more confidence. And that’s a positive thing.”
Marcus Rashford looking forward to first El Clasico
If Lopez was the star of the show, then Rashford was the runner-up on the podium. The on-loan Manchester United forward won a penalty after a lovely exchange with Lopez, and then grabbed a brace of his own late on in spectacular fashion.
🗣 Marcus Rashford on #BarçaOlympiacos pic.twitter.com/tIVlXK6yRl
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 22, 2025
He told the club media that he was looking forward to his first ever Clasico, and noted that Flick was keen to impress a ruthless mentality on his side.
