News Focus
- Hansi Flick confirms Andreas Christensen will stay and sign a new contract at Barcelona
- Robert Lewandowski set for emotional farewell in his final home match for the club
- Barcelona can become the first team in La Liga history to win all home games in one season
- Frenkie de Jong missed the Alaves defeat due to illness, while Marcus Rashford remains doubtful
Barcelona will play their final home match of the season this Sunday. They welcome Real Betis to the Spotify Camp Nou. The Catalan club has already secured the La Liga title. Now they aim to create history.
No team in La Liga has ever won all of their home matches in a single season. Barcelona could become the first. They must defeat Betis to achieve this record. Manager Hansi Flick discussed this goal during his press conference on Saturday.
“You always need targets,” said Flick. “This is one of them. I know we face an excellent team. Betis have been stable for the past few seasons. It will not be easy. However, the squad is in good spirits.”
Flick also provided updates on player fitness. Frenkie de Jong missed the midweek defeat to Alaves. The midfielder informed Flick that he felt unwell.
“He spoke with me,” Flick revealed. “He said he was not feeling well. Therefore, we decided he should not play.”
Marcus Rashford remains doubtful. The forward might feature for a few minutes. However, he will not start the game. Flick confirmed the starting eleven will differ from the team that played in Vitoria.
Sunday marks Robert Lewandowski’s final home appearance for Barcelona. The striker will leave the club this summer. Some supporters expected Andreas Christensen to depart as well. The Danish centre-back was considered a possible exit. Yet Flick confirmed Christensen will remain.
“I do not think so,” Flick stated when asked about further farewells. “In football, anything is possible. But I do not believe tomorrow will see another goodbye. The plan is for him to stay. He will get minutes tomorrow.”
The German coach expects Christensen to sign a new contract soon. This decision ends speculation about the defender’s future. Christensen will feature against Betis on Sunday.