Barca boss Flick speaks before the matchday against Athletic Bilbao

FC Barcelona is set to face one of its most challenging opponents, Athletic Bilbao, in their second matchday of the 2024/25 campaign. Coming on the back of a morale-boosting win against Valencia at the Mestalla, the spirits of Barca players would be high, looking forward to cementing their La Liga standings with another win.

The Barca Vs Athletic matchday is going to be special for a number of occasions. Not to forget, Nico Williams had chosen to stay at the Bask club, even after strongly being linked to a Barcelona move this summer. Moreover, with Barca's last-season breakout star, Fermin, returning to the Blaugrana midfield, the fixture seems set to be an enthralling one.

Barca boss Flick speaks before the matchday against Athletic Bilbao

Speaking to the media before the game against Athletic, Barcelona boss Flick praised the opponent lineup, saying,

""They have very clear ideas, with and without the ball. Physically, they are very powerful, and it will be difficult, but I trust that we can win.""

- Hansi Flick

Moreover, being aware of Athletic star Nico Williams' heroics, the German manager has expressed his potential strategy for the player. Flick counts upon Barca's star full-back, Jules Kounde, to stop the pacy winger. Flick said,

""I can say that Jules will take care of him. But I will not talk about him because he is not one of my players. So, the focus is more on how to counter Nico. And I think Kounde will do a good job.""

- Hansi Flick

Not to forget, the duo of Marc Bernal and Marc Casado stood sensational in the season opener against Valencia. Especially in Casado, the German manager seems to have found his next 'Kimmich' being built for the pivot role in Barca's midfield. Flick mentioned the player's importance,

""Marc Casado is a great player, and he will have an important role this season.""

- Hansi Flick

FC Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao would be Flick's debut game at the Estadi Olimpic Stadium. Barca, as always has been, is more than just a club, having significant emotions from Culers all around the world. Flick stressed the importance of Barca fans in the long season ahead, saying,

""It is important to have the support of the fans here. I think that the fans will help us to become a stronger team.""

- Hansi Flick

Being currently the 2nd placeholder in the La Liga table, the Catalan club would try their best to extract the complete 3 points to guarantee a significant cushion at the top. Overall, the Barca Vs Athletic fixture would be an important fixture for deciding Barca's run in the 2024/25 campaign.