Flick shuts down Julián Álvarez talk: «I focus on my team»

Hansi Flick avoided stirring the pot when asked about Julián Álvarez before Atlético-Barça. The German coach called him a fantastic player but stressed that he plays for Atlético and that he is focused on his own team, according to Mundo Deportivo. He tried to move on from the summer saga that strained relations between the two clubs, though he did not look especially comfortable being asked again.

In his second answer he was even firmer: he does not talk about players from other teams, he is very happy with the squad and believes they have plenty of options in attack. He closed the topic with a short line: there is nothing more to say.

He also had warm words for Raphinha, whose renewal he welcomed. He described him as a fantastic player, the captain and a very important figure for the club.