Hansi Flick cautions Barcelona that continual victories are essential to maintain pressure on Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick was pleased to see his side close the gap to LaLiga leaders Real Madrid, now just four points adrift, following their 1-0 victory against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday. However, he recognised that the pressure remains on Barcelona to make up ground in the title race.

Real Madrid faced a setback, losing 1-0 to Espanyol on Saturday, which opened the door for Barcelona to recover some points lost during a challenging four-match winless stretch in December and January.

“We responded well today. It was a demanding game, and Alaves defended exceptionally,” Flick expressed to the media.

“Overall, it’s a favourable situation for us, an improvement compared to before. Winning was essential today, and the team performed well under pressure,” he added.

Barcelona currently sits third on the table, trailing second-placed Atletico Madrid by just one point.

“Atletico and Real are both exceptional teams; we must focus on our own performances. While we are a bit behind, we need to keep winning and apply pressure on them,” Flick noted.

Flick also highlighted the contribution of Robert Lewandowski, the league’s top scorer, who netted the decisive goal for Barcelona.

“He truly is the best number nine in the box, and his goal today was crucial for us,” he stated.

Flick was equally impressed with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who was instrumental in Barcelona’s attacking plays, generating numerous chances and assisting Lewandowski’s goal.

“What he accomplished today in several situations was remarkable, and I’m thrilled to have him at Barcelona,” he remarked.

He also provided an update on Gavi, who had to be substituted following a head clash with Tomas Conechny, assuring that he didn’t suffer any serious injuries.

“He’s on his way home, and nothing significant occurred. That’s the good news,” he concluded.

Discover the match statistics for Barcelona vs Alaves here