FC Barcelona Coach Flick Makes Season Promise And Confirms Exits
Hansi Flick promised FC Barcelona fans the team wouldn't be 100% until after the international break, following a 1-0 preseason loss to Udinese. The defeat, in a unique 45-minute format, saw Barcelona field many youth players while stars were absent or off-pace due to post-World Cup holidays. Flick called it an "atypical and strange preseason" requiring careful management. He also confirmed significant player exits, including Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji being cut from the squad. Most notably, Ronald Araujo is set for a shock loan to Liverpool, with Flick acknowledging Araujo's desire for a change. Barcelona continues its preseason against Basel on August 16, likely without these departing players.
Head coach Hansi Flick made a promise to FC Barcelona fans following a 1-0 defeat to Udinese in preseason on Saturday night.
Both teams beating Nottingham Forest by that score in a unique, 45-minutes only triangular format meant that a meeting between the Catalans and the Italians was a final of sorts.
As the home team came out on top, however, they clinched the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup against a side mostly made up of youth talents save for Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde.
With many players off the pace, or not having returned from the World Cup yet in the case of Spain’s stars, Flick made a vow to Culers.
“It is an atypical and strange preseason,” Flick said about preparations for 2026/2027.
“We have to respect the players’ holidays and this preseason is not normal. Until the international break (in late September) we will have to manage it, until then we will not be 100%.”
Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji were last minute cuts from the group that travelled to Italy, which was reportedly a surprise to the players themselves. Ronald Araujo is also set to complete a shock loan to Liverpool which came out of nowhere, with Flick pretty much confirming their exits.
“The situation of Casado and Roony is not easy for me, but decisions have to be made. I spoke to them at the end of last season and also in England. I explained the situation and gave them my advice.” Flick revealed.
"Ronald is a great guy and a fantastic player. He has strength and speed and with the ball too," the manager then remarked regarding the Uruguayan.
“I think he also wants to do something new. It’s a shame, something happened in the past and I think he wanted to change too.”
Most likely without any of these players, Barcelona continues its preseason campaign away at Basel on August 16.