Hansi Flick Optimistic About Barcelona Players Ahead of International Break

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has dismissed concerns that the upcoming international break will disrupt his squad, insisting the hiatus can re-energise his players rather than deplete them. With the majority of the club’s regular starters set to travel for national-team duty, many coaches view the next week as a logistical headache, but Flick is embracing the pause.

“We’ll train and give some rest to the players who stay, as always,” the German said. “I don’t think about what may happen to the international players, I don’t think about potential injuries. There’s a World Cup and everybody wants to play. It’s going to be good for them to disconnect from this routine and come back with more energy. It’s positive for us.”

Before the exodus, Barcelona must first negotiate a La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Victory would keep the Catalans ahead of reigning champions Real Madrid in the table and maintain early-season momentum generated under Flick.

While the manager’s focus is fixed on Rayo, longer-term squad decisions are beginning to crystallise. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, faces an uncertain future at the club. The 27-year-old arrived with a €30 million purchase option, yet a recent dip in form has prompted the hierarchy to question whether activating the clause represents value. Rashford must rediscover his best football in the coming months to persuade the board to sanction a permanent deal.

Flick refused to single out individuals for criticism, emphasising a collective approach until the campaign reaches its conclusion. “We need everybody until the end and then we’ll see,” he stressed. “There’s a World Cup. I believe in my players. Cancelo, Rashford and Martín give us quality. We’ll talk at the end and we’ll see what happens. Now is not the time to say, ‘I want this one, I don’t want this one.’ Anything can happen.”

Questions also persist at centre-forward. Robert Lewandowski is approaching the final year of his contract, and Ferrán Torres has struggled to replicate the Pole’s scoring consistency. Flick, however, offered public backing to the Spanish forward: “The important thing is to be dynamic, to be active. Ferran was good in the training session. I see him with confidence. He’s making the effort to get back to his best level.”

Off the pitch, uncertainty over Flick’s own position has eased after Joan Laporta’s re-election as club president. The coach confirmed discussions over an extension are ongoing and hinted that retirement is not on his immediate horizon, silencing speculation that behind-the-scenes turbulence could shorten his tenure.

Barcelona’s defensive depth remains a concern. Andreas Christensen has yet to commit his future, and the club has reportedly issued an ultimatum to the Dane while scouting replacements for next season.

For now, Flick’s priority is clear: secure three points against Rayo Vallecano, then allow his international stars to recharge on the global stage before reuniting for the decisive stretch of the campaign.