Blaugrana Stories

🚨🗣️| Juan Funes (Malaga Coach): “It feels like if you even breathe on a Real Madrid player, it’s a foul… but when it happens to us, they need to see blood before they blow the whistle.”

🚨| Gabriel Jesus will wear the No. 19 shirt. 🔵🔴

So, who’s taking the No. 9? 👀🕸️

🚨 Juan Brindisi, Argentina National Team psychologist on Julián Álvarez:

"I think people need to understand when a player wants to leave. You can’t punish someone just because they want to join another club.

"Julián Álvarez wanting to go to FC Barcelona is not a sudden decision, it’s something he has wanted since he was a kid.”

Even if I don’t like the signing of Gabriel Jesus but I understand why Flick approved the signing.

Barca wanted a striker who can press relentlessly at the top, link up with the wingers and midfielders, have good ability on the ball, can created spaces for others. That's why they wanted Julian Alvarez, Pedro or Kroppi.

As they weren’t available, Barca gone for the similar profile in Gabriel Jesus. Surely he isn’t an elite striker but he is the similar profile Flick wanted. When it comes to defensive contribution, pressing, off the ball work rate, he is one of the best for his position.

Gabriel Jesus may not be the striker we wanted but surely he is the profile we were looking for our Striker.

🚨🗣️ Pep Guardiola on Jesus:

"Yes, Haaland was a goal poacher but the striker who gave me everything I wanted at Manchester was that the guy called Jesus. He is super good and best no.9 I've ever coached."

In search of Gold, we found Aluminum

Gabriel Jesus and Christensen when Barcelona need them in UCL Quarter finals

🔵🔴 Hansi Flick's pre-match press conference ahead of Barça vs Rayo Vallecano:

On the transfer market:
“I’m happy. Deco is working on it to see if he can strengthen the team a little. We have no pressure. So far he has done a fantastic job. Everything is fine. We are on the right track.”

On the transfer window remaining open after the season started:
“I would prefer all the work to be done before the start, but there are things I cannot change.”

On Álvaro Cortés:
“He has taken a step forward. At his age, it is good for him to play at the highest level in another league. Here he might not have had the minutes he needs.”

On Livaković:
“We are happy with Tek. Livaković knows the situation, but we are very happy to have an experienced goalkeeper. His signing is also a signing for the future.”

On Frenkie de Jong:
“It is important to go step by step, day by day. He works every day and we have a long season with many games. I’m happy to have him because we need his quality for our objectives.”

On managing players' minutes:
“Everyone wants to play, that’s normal, but it’s about the team. The team is priority number one. The team and the club.”

On the Ballon d’Or:
“It’s not my job to campaign. My job is already difficult enough. There are good players in my team too, but I’m not a fan of these things. What interests me is the team.”

On Barça's chances of winning everything:
“At the moment, we are doing well. Everything depends on how we play as a team. It’s not about one or two players. It’s about being well connected and having team spirit.”

On the dressing room:
“The atmosphere in the dressing room is good. It’s important for achieving our objectives. We have fantastic players, but team spirit is important.”

On Raphinha playing as a No. 9:
“As a No. 9, he starts the pressure. That’s something he does very well. He is one of our leaders and knows exactly when to start, and everyone follows his dynamic.”

On Raphinha in front of goal:
“In front of goal, he does very well. It’s not a problem for him. Fermín can also play there.”

On Hamza Abdelkarim:
“It’s not always easy. We think about giving minutes to those who deserve them. He deserves it. I see him improving day by day. He has the right attitude and mentality.”

On Hamza's playing time:
“He deserves to play and he will play.”

On Rodri:
“Rodri has had some small problems these days. He is fine now. He has trained well and everything looks good. He will always be ready, but we’ll see what we do.”

On Brian Fariñas:
“Brian is like Hamza. He has surprised me a lot. He is excellent, very fit and committed to his role and different positions.”

On Brian getting minutes:
“He needs minutes and it won’t be easy for him because we have fantastic players there, but he deserves to play minutes.”

On Lamine Yamal:
“It’s always good when a player smiles, but not every day is the same. I don’t smile every day either.”

On concerns surrounding Lamine:
“Everyone is worried about Lamine, but the situation is what it is. He has just returned after three weeks of vacation following the World Cup.”

On Lamine's performances:
“The first match perhaps wasn’t his best, but I was very happy with how he worked for the team. He creates opportunities.”

On Lamine's current level:
“We have seen situations where he has been at a top level.”

On Lamine's training:
“His level in training today was excellent. We have to support him, and I will do that.”

If not Alvarez we could have gone for cheap and available good options. My picks was

Serhou Guirassy
Marcos Thuram
Deniz Undav