Coach Hansi Flick appeared at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despí for the press conference before Barça’s first LaLiga 2026-2027 match against Elche at 21:30. In his remarks, Flick announced that Joao Cancelo will be available for the game, but Rodri will not play. "Cancelo is ready to play and could do it tomorrow," Flick said, highlighting the Portuguese full-back’s technique and passion.
Flick also discussed the potential exit of players such as Koundé and Balde, noting that the club will evaluate changes and that we must wait until the transfer window closes. "When you bring in new players, you think about how to make the team very strong," he explained, stressing the need for adjustments.
Regarding preparation, Flick mentioned that Hamza, a young striker who has scored in pre-season, is doing a fantastic job. "Hamza is a ‘9’ with a lot of potential," he added. He also dismissed talking about Julián or players from other clubs, focusing solely on the Barça squad’s performance.
On minute management, Flick said that players who took part in the World Cup will not play full 90 minutes, though they may appear on the bench. "It’s the first match, we need to win and start well," he concluded.
Flick confirmed that player registration is complete: Rodri, Gordon, Adeyemin, Christensen, and Cancelo are already registered in the league, while only Bisiwu remains pending due to a bureaucratic issue. "The plan is for him to join the group on Monday," he said about Rodri, who has trained a bit on the pitch.
The coach finished the press conference by stressing the importance of total dedication from the team: "We need to give 100 percent of our level." With this, Barça prepares for its debut against Elche, hoping Cancelo will bring his experience and the squad will show its commitment.
