Hansi Flick expressed his frustration at Barcelona’s rescheduled LaLiga fixture with Osasuna, with many of his international players unlikely to feature on Thursday.
Barcelona welcome Osasuna to the Camp Nou after their game was postponed earlier this month due to the death of the Catalan club’s doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia.
The two clubs appealed the decision to play the fixture so soon after the final international break had concluded, but they were rejected by the RFEF immediately.
Flick saw 13 of his players called up for international duty, most of whom have been regular starters for Barcelona this season as they sit atop of the LaLiga table.
Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres were in action for Spain’s Nations League quarter-final clash with Croatia.
The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Joules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski also represented their respective nations, while Fermin Lopez, Pablo Torre and Gerard Martin were with Spain Under-21s.
“The players have played with their national teams, and that’s bad. Now we have to play against Osasuna, and we have to talk about whether it’s the right time. I’m not happy. There are other leagues that do it differently,” Flick told reporters.
“I can’t change that. That’s my personal opinion. But we’re going to play, we’re not making excuses. The team is ready and we have to strive for the best performance. We’re going for it.
“The quality of the team is good, and we can beat anyone even if the players don’t get the optimal rest.”
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While some of those players are expected to play some part on Thursday, Flick confirmed that he will be without Raphinha and Ronald Araujo.
Raphinha played the duration of Brazil’s 4-1 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday, though Araujo was an unused substitute in Uruguay’s goalless draw with Bolivia.
“They won’t play or be in the team. They’re out. The flight is long, and it’s not the most optimal situation. They have to train,” Flick said.
“They have to recover and train, and then we’ll see on Sunday. But the team is fantastic, and we have to fight for the three points.
“When we win and get three more points, it will be the best reaction we can give.”
Flick confirmed that Cubarsi would also be unavailable after picking up a knock with Spain, but Eric Garcia, Inigo Martinez and Lewandowski would play against Osasuna.
Barcelona have won each of their last seven LaLiga matches, keeping four clean sheets in four of them, having won just one of their previous eight (D3 L4).
But they face a packed schedule over the next 20 days, with seven matches across LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League to come.
Flick, however, believed it would not be a huge challenge to his team.
“I’ve spoken to the rest of the staff and the physios … and we’ve talked about what we can do to help the players recover better,” Flick concluded.
“They’ve told me they’re fit, fine. Playing every three days isn’t a big deal for them and I believe them.”
