Hansi Flick denied rumours of internal divisions at Barcelona, dismissing claims of sporting director Deco pressuring him to play Lamine Yamal after he was allegedly late to training.
Yamal is back in training and will be part of Flick's squad for Barcelona's LaLiga match against Girona on Saturday, offering a boost to the injury-hit team.
With Real Madrid not playing until Sunday, Barca have the chance to go top of the LaLiga table, at least for 24 hours, if they come away with three points at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
However, much of the pre-match talk has not been about the game, after reports that Yamal went unpunished for apparently arriving late to training thanks to Deco's intervention.
"I don't know where you have got that information from, but at the end, I'm sorry about the choice of words, but it's totally b*******, okay?!" Flick told a press conference.
"I never, never was asked that. I really appreciate how they [the board] believe in my work. They would never ask me something like this.
"So, I can say it's b*******! And if someone said this, he's lying."
Barcelona will be without Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Raphinha, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen for Saturday's match, while Yamal and Fermin Lopez have been passed fit, but not for a full 90 minutes.
"I cannot change it. We have to find solutions," Flick said of the injury woes. "We might have to rely on players from La Masia [the academy]. We will see what happens."
Barcelona are in need of a win after heading into the international break under pressure, having lost consecutive matches to Paris Saint-Germain in Europe and Sevilla in LaLiga, going down 4-1 in the latter.
"It's about attitude and mentality on the pitch," Flick added. "We are Barca.
"Our fans want to see us fighting for every situation. Last season we won three titles, but this is a new season. We have to start now with the same attitude, and I think we will fight tomorrow."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona – Ferran Torres
After leaving Spain's squad early, Ferran Torres has been passed fit to play this weekend, and he will be key with so many players missing.
He has netted four goals this term, level with Lewandowski, and nobody has had more shots (23) or efforts on target (nine, level with Marcus Rashford) than him.
Girona – Cristhian Stuani
Cristhian Stuani has scored five goals in 15 LaLiga matches against Barcelona, scoring in two of his last three matches against the Blaugrana in the top-flight (two goals).
Hoycdenoz
1
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥
It is what it is that's the rules no one is bigger than the rules dude
Lipaimnor
0
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥
diabolical? wow. for discipline? must be heaven where you live [Crylaugh]
deucnprst
0
Andy220
1
Bayern Munich players get one free Audi. Real Madrid players get one free BMW. Barca players get a one year free Spotify subscription...
you could have research but nah you want to sound funny, Same team that already gave out Cupra earlier
junaeilpsu
0
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥
Discipline is very important make dem lose
darlynboi
0
Bayern Munich players get one free Audi. Real Madrid players get one free BMW. Barca players get a one year free Spotify subscription...
Jon
zaabmnopyz
1
yamal
Febbdemp
2
so!!! , fans and pundits, is it because of the world club cup that's causing this injuries in Barcelona players of six?
Nenadiopty
1
Bayern Munich players get one free Audi. Real Madrid players get one free BMW. Barca players get a one year free Spotify subscription...
🤣🤣😂
Dobcdikmp
1
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥
pls stand by ur word flick and punish whosoever Dat disobey the rules.....even if it is Deco or Yamal
Wuwbcinpz
1
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥
you are so emotional,calm down nobody is bigger than a team .it will depends on the excuse.you can never do that in a big club
Wuwbcinpz
2
wrong prediction. if someone want to win his bet he must carry girona win 1 # 2 against barcelona.i talk 🦜 finish
misacrtu
0
Realmadrid Barcelona yamal and Raphine
Charliey
0
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥
With or without him we still lost the march.. reporter just want to divide the room before el-Classico.. we know who is behide those tricks.. 🤐
BiIIyDedon
4
Bayern Munich players get one free Audi. Real Madrid players get one free BMW. Barca players get a one year free Spotify subscription...
Raaz3
0
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥
No player is bigger than the club. It is what it is.
kmuguna
2
punishing a star player by denying him to play in a competitive match is simply diabolical, what if the team losses a game which they would have had a better chance If the player was in squad?😥