FC Barcelona will be aiming to collect all three points when they take on newly-promoted La Liga side Real Oviedo away from home on Thursday night.

After their draw against Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona have bounced back strongly, securing wins over Valencia, Newcastle United, and Getafe, and will want to keep building momentum ahead of next week’s UCL clash vs PSG.

On the eve of the match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the media, discussing the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday as well as Gavi’s injury setback.

Talking about the game against Real Oviedo and the challenge that they will pose, the German tactician said:

“They’re a very brave team, playing with a high defensive line. But for me, the important thing is the team. We’ve done well in the last three games. We’re in good form, you can see that in training, and we’re confident.”

Real Madrid have made a fine start to the season, collecting 18 points out of 18. Barcelona also have four wins and a draw from their five games, making up for an interesting battle at the top.

On whether there is a chance of the 100-point barrier being breached in La Liga this season, Flick noted:

“I don’t know, we’ve done a good job in these games. But if you look at last year, we had ups and downs, but we’re focused on ourselves and what we can do. That’s what we have to do.”

Talking about the injuries in the squad and how it has forced him to make changes to the lineup constantly, Flick iterated that he trusts all his players to come good.

“I don’t remember much about how I managed the line-ups last year, but I do remember that there were a lot of injured players. This year too, with Fermín, Lamine, Balde…

“Playing every two or three games means you have to rotate, and I have confidence in every player, they’re all at a good level.”

Continuing, he added: “I never think about the players who are missing, but rather about the options that are available.

“I think it’s important that the players feel that I have confidence in each and every one of them. It’s all the same, we can win with any 11 players.”

The chat soon moved to the squad issues and the absence of Gavi, who has now been ruled out for five months after undergoing surgery.

“When you receive this information, you say, bad news, but in the end it’s the best thing for him. We have to take care of him, he has to take it step by step and it was the way for him to have a long career,” said Flick.

“Let him be 100% fit and then take it step by step. He’s a player with a big heart, I’m very happy to have him in the team. It’s not easy for the team, but we’ll be supporting him so he can get back to his best.”

Gavi is out for five months. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

On whether he had spoken to the young midfielder, Flick replied: “I think it’s not easy for a young player to receive this news. He was fine, but we have to help him.

“He’s very professional, especially with his attitude, he’s top class. It’s not easy, but if anyone can get through it, it’s him.”

Talking about the Ballon d’Or gala and Lamine Yamal, who ended up as the runner-up behind Ousmane Dembele, Flick insisted that the youngster was in good headspace and motivated for the coming years.

“I spoke to him and he’s motivated for the coming years. He’s accepted it in a sporting manner and is motivated to show his full potential, and I’m sure he’ll have chances to win it in the coming years,” Flick said.

“Ousmane deserved it too. Not only was he nominated, but we also had other players nominated, which shows that we’re doing things right,” he added.

Talking about Pedri, who shockingly finished outside the top ten in the Ballon d’Or, Flick admitted that the attackers tend to get more of a limelight, but highlighted how the Spanish international had been earning praise from greats like Paul Scholes.

“When you’re an attacker, you’re in the spotlight more. If Scholes, who was a wonderful player, says that, it’s a good thing. Pedri is at an incredible level, just like Frenkie. I’m very happy with what I see in training,” he said.

Regarding the availability of Alejandro Balde for the trip to Oviedo, after he returned to training this week, Flick insisted that no risks will be taken with the left-back.

“He won’t be available for this match. But we’ll see how he progresses and if he can be available at the weekend. It will all depend on how he feels, but we won’t take any risks,” he confirmed.

Discussing the situation of Marc Bernal, who has not played since his return against Valencia, Flick explained:

“He’ll play when we think it’s right for him to play. He’s doing well in training, but we didn’t think it was right for him to play against Newcastle and we opted for other options against Getafe.”

Regarding Frenkie de Jong and the criticism he used to face from a section of Barcelona fans in the past, Flick said:

“I’ve never felt that he’s been criticised. I’m not on social media, which is a good thing, but I think every Barça fan can see how important Frenkie is.

“For me, it’s fantastic to have him in the team. I enjoy this team and I enjoy him. He’s a very important player and I talk to him a lot because I like to know his opinion.”

There was also praise for Pau Cubarsi and how he has adapted to playing as the left-sided centre-back, saying:

“He plays on the left because he’s very good and it’s not much different for him. He feels more comfortable on the right, but for me it’s good to see that he’s also improving on the left. He’s doing well.”

The Barcelona manager was also asked for his thoughts on the new Spotify Camp Nou and when the team would return. But, avoiding answering it directly, the way the team plays would not change, irrespective of where the home matches are held.

“I haven’t been to see the work being done at Camp Nou, I did that when I first arrived in Barcelona,” he said.

“It won’t change the way we play, we want to dominate, press, play with conviction… and that’s regardless of whether we’re playing at Estadi Johan Cruyff, Estadi Olimpic….”

When asked for his opinion on the Ballon d’Or gala, Flick insisted he was not a fan of the grand ceremony, but was proud of his players and the team for their achievements.

“To be honest, it’s not my kind of thing. It’s part of my job, it’s important for the team, so I travel. I don’t like this “important or influential people” stuff. What I can say is that I’m very proud of my team,” he concluded.