Flick demands strong finish from Barcelona
Despite having wrapped up the LaLiga title, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick was quick to remind his team the season was not over ahead of facing Villarreal.
Flick and his players celebrated the club's 28th top-flight success with an open-bus victory parade last week, with thousands of fans in attendance.
Barcelona welcomes Villarreal to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Monday (AEST) in what will be its penultimate league game of the campaign.
Flick has guided Barcelona to not only the league title, but also the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup crowns, beating rival Real Madrid in both finals.
While Barcelona has won 18 of its past 23 games against Villarreal in LaLiga, Flick urged his players to finish the campaign strongly on home turf.
"Yesterday was a day of celebration and rest. A lot of players went out partying, but whoever can party can work," Flick said.
"It's not an excuse. I want to finish the season as we started it.
"It's the last time we play at home, and we want to win. We want to end the season as champions. We haven't lost in 2025 [in the league] and we want to keep it that way."
Flick has enjoyed a dream start to life at Barcelona, winning 43 of his 58 games in charge and losing onl eight across all competitions.
The 60-year-old expressed his emotion about the passion of the supporters during the celebrations that took place in the city.
"It was incredible to see the faces, the passion of the people, how they celebrated. It was fantastic to see," he said.
"To celebrate year after year would be amazing. Maybe we can do it again next year. We will work for it. It's everyone's title."
Barcelona has not lost any of its past 17 league games, winning 15 of those, its best run in the competition since a 19-game run between December 2020 and April 2021.
Villarreal has, however, won two of its past three away games against Barcelona in LaLiga, having managed just one win in its previous 19 visits.
Flick said his team would face a difficult task against the fifth-placed side, which is looking to ensure a UEFA Champions League qualification spot next season.
"We're playing against great teams and Villarreal have done a fantastic job. They have won their last four games," Flick added.
"You can see the hand of their coach, and they have key players."
Asked if he could start with 11 home-grown players, Flick said the idea had been discussed at the club.
"To be honest, we've talked about it internally, but we haven't decided. It could be. We'll wait until tomorrow to see how the team is," he said.
