Nearly perfect, but Barca can still get better: Flick

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hailed his side’s 5-0 demolition of Valencia as a “nearly perfect” performance but warned the Spanish champions can still raise their game.

Lamine Yamal scored twice, while Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Pedri were also on target as Barca made it four wins from four in LaLiga to move clear at the top of the table following Real Madrid’s defeat by Real Betis.

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“It was a fantastic game, nearly perfect,” Flick said. “We had control, we were dominant. This is what I want: to control the game and try to get spaces. We did it.

“But nothing is perfect. You can always improve. We can get better.”

Nothing is perfect. You can always improve. We can get better.

Hansi Flick

Barcelona’s latest rout was their third five-goal haul in four games this season, taking their tally to 17 goals already.

Raphinha has scored six times while operating as a makeshift striker, with Yamal and Fermín adding four each.

That firepower has emerged despite Barcelona’s summer search for a new No. 9 following the departures of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford.

The Catalan giants eventually signed Gabriel Jesus, who made his debut as a late substitute against Valencia, after failing to reach an agreement for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

Flick, however, insists Barcelona still need a traditional centre-forward despite their remarkable start.

“We normally need a real No. 9, this is clear,” he said. “But we have huge quality in the offence, also in the midfield. Everyone can score goals.

“I am also happy that Pedri scored today. For me, how we play, how we control the game and how we use the spaces is important, but we also have the quality in one-v-one situations and the finishing.”

Pedri was among those to underline the depth of Barcelona’s attacking options.

“People always want a striker that scores 40 goals a season, but we have a lot of players that can do that work,” the Spain international told Movistar.

“We have a lot of players who will get in those positions to score goals. We won’t lack goals this season.”

The Valencia victory also marked the first time Pedri had started in midfield alongside summer signing Rodri for Barcelona.

The pair had previously played together for Spain, but questions had been raised over whether they could operate effectively alongside each other.

“It has been said that we don’t work together, but it is very comfortable playing with Rodri,” Pedri said.

“He hardly ever loses the ball and that helps a lot in defence. We are going to have a good understanding that will get even better with more and more games.”

Flick was also delighted with Rodri’s first start for Barcelona, with the former Manchester City midfielder playing an hour as he continues to regain his match fitness.

The German believes Rodri’s influence can extend beyond his own performances, particularly in helping the club’s young midfielders develop.

“You can see everything he does with the ball. It makes sense,” Flick said. “It also gives the team structure in attack, but also without the ball.

“Rodri is amazing. Not only on the pitch, also in the dressing room, an absolute leader. It is good to have him.”

Marc Bernal, meanwhile, is also benefiting from the competition and experience around him, Flick added.

“For him, this is a good situation. If he takes this opportunity in the right way, he will improve and get better and better,” the coach said.