Hansi Flick gets a new star for Barça
Hansi Flick reflects on his positive first weeks as FC Barcelona coach. With Dani Olmo joining, the former Bayern coach adds another star to Barcelona's title chase. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski explains why Flick's DNA fits perfectly with Barcelona.
Hansi Flick seemed relaxed. Patiently, the new FC Barcelona coach signed autographs for fans, hugged Milan's agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the catacombs of the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, and chatted about his successful first trip with the new club. Only the impending big transfer of the Catalans left the 59-year-old completely unmoved at the end of the US tour.
"Dani Olmo? It's not the right day to talk about this matter," Flick said after the 3:4 penalty shootout loss to AC Milan. While the European champion was already in Barcelona for the medical check, Flick boarded the plane with the Barcelona squad in the night, heading home - and had many positive insights to take with him.
"We're on the right track," said the former national coach, under whom the Catalans are aiming for titles again after a season without one. It's been over a month since Flick took office, and his style was already visible in the matches against Manchester City (4:1 in the penalty shootout), Real Madrid (2:1), and Milan (2:2 after 90 minutes).
The players like it. "Hansi fits FC Barcelona, you can already tell in the first weeks," said star striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice against Milan in regular time, to "Sport Bild". Under Flick, the Pole won the triple with Bayern Munich in 2020. "I'm very happy and satisfied to work with Hansi again. I believe we'll have a great season and hold a trophy at the end."
And the chances of that increase with the upcoming signing of Olmo. The 26-year-old from RB Leipzig arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday evening for the medical check. The transfer fee is reportedly 55 million euros plus bonus payments.
The European champion was taken into the youth academy of FC Barcelona at the age of nine, before moving to Croatian first division club Dinamo Zagreb at the age of 16. In Leipzig, Olmo developed into an exceptional player in four years - now he is set to add more brilliance to Flick's offense alongside Lewandowski, sensation Lamine Yamal, and national team captain Ilkay Gündogan.
Lewandowski believes the transfer also fits Flick's philosophy, supported by his staff Heiko Westermann, Toni Tapalovic, and Marcus Sorg. "The club's DNA is to provide spectacle," Lewandowski emphasized, "and Hansi's offensive approach fits very well with that."
Flick's enthusiasm was palpable as he welcomed Dani Olmo to FC Barcelona, further strengthening the team's title aspirations. With Olmo's addition, Flick's offensive style that prioritizes spectacle will successfully blend with the club's traditional DNA, as explained by Robert Lewandowski.
