Before exit because Barca needs money
Does Gündogan, of all people, have to pay for Flick's top transfer?
Hansi Flick gains a star at FC Barcelona in Dani Olmo. But the club is still in financial trouble, so money is urgently needed for the Spanish European champions to be able to play. Does this mean the end for İlkay Gündogan? The German captain is missing at the start of the season.
Hansi Flick knew who he had to thank. The former national soccer coach gave double goalscorer Robert Lewandowski a big hug after FC Barcelona's arduous 2-1 (1-1) win at FC Valencia at the start of the season, and you could see his relief. “We made a lot of mistakes in the first half. But we took the first step. In the end we had the game under control,” said Flick.
With his hard-fought success, the former Munich champion followed in the footsteps of his famous German predecessors Hennes Weisweiler and Udo Lattek. Weisweiler started the league in 1975 with a 3-2 win at FC Elche, Lattek in 1981 with a 4-0 win against FC Cadiz. Thanks to Lewandowski (45th + 6 and 49th/foul penalty), Flick was also able to celebrate.
“Winning at the start of the season in a stadium like Valencia is always difficult,” said Lewandowski, who won the Champions League with Flick in Munich, among other things. Even then, the coach could rely on the exceptional qualities of his Polish striker. “I don't know how many goals I'll score at the end of the season, but it's very important for me that I scored in the first game. That's good for self-confidence,” said Lewandowski.
Olmo is not yet registered with the league
However, Flick still has to take care of some construction sites. Valencia could have led higher in the first half, but only Hugo Duro scored (44'). Pau Cubarsi saved on the line after a catastrophic mistake by national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen in the build-up game against Duro (45th + 3). “In the second half,” emphasized Flick, “we did much better.”
But the 59-year-old also has to make decisions off the pitch. According to Spanish media reports, the club is considering selling national team captain Ilkay Gündogan. Barcelona urgently needs money for new signings; Dani Olmo, who was signed from RB Leipzig for 55 million euros, has not yet been registered with the league.
Gündogan was officially absent from Valencia due to a laceration he suffered during the botched dress rehearsal against AS Monaco (0-3). Flick recently explained that he valued Gündogan very much. He has the feeling that he will stay. But Gündogan reportedly has several offers from abroad. Flick can only breathe briefly after the successful start.
