Barcelona will host Celta Vigo tomorrow at 17:45 Tehran time in one of the crucial matches of the season’s final stretch, aiming to temporarily extend their four-point lead over Real Madrid.

Barcelona arrives at this match after a defeat against Borussia Dortmund, a loss that was sweetened by their advancement to the Champions League semifinals.

Hans-Dieter Flick addressed journalists’ questions in the pre-match press conference.

On the match against Celta, he said: “It will definitely be a tough game. The result depends on our performance. We must play at our best level. Celta is a good team with a brave and clear style, and they’ve performed well away from home. We must deliver our best game.

What’s important is that Celta has a clear style and philosophy. We must showcase our strengths. We’ve talked about the issues we faced against Dortmund and the things we need to improve.

On the defeat against Dortmund: “Do you know how many matches we’ve played in recent weeks? Do you know how little rest we’ve had? Maybe we’ll face the same situation against Inter and lose again. Late arrivals, late nights. These things happen here. In any league, when a team plays in the Champions League, they are supported. We have no time to rest. I’d love to talk to the officials about this. Maybe we’re not in our best form, but I’m proud of my players. They always give their best. We achieved our goal: reaching the semifinals. If someone had told us at the start of the season that we’d be in this position, we wouldn’t have believed it. We’ve only lost one game and are still in the race. We must think positively. We know who we are and what we must do.”

On the tight schedule and achievements so far: “We only had one more day to prepare for this match after Dortmund. Our players are very young, and those who aren’t are very professional. In every match, you must give 100%, like a winning team. If someone is tired, it’s natural. If a player asks to be substituted after 30 minutes, it’s no problem. You must give everything and be honest with yourself. My players give 100%.”

On managing Jules Koundé’s minutes: “Jules’ problem is that if I tell him to play 30 minutes less, he’ll go somewhere else and run! That’s why I prefer to manage his time myself. His level is extraordinary, and he’s in great form. I talk to the player, and if he’s honest, he takes care of his body. If he’s tired, we make changes. If not, he responds.”

On Lamine Yamal and lack of rest: “Everyone knows he’s a genius. There’s a lot of pressure on him, and we need him at his best. I talk to the players, and if they’re tired, we decide.”

On Iñigo Martínez’s condition: “He’s one of those players who can manage the team from the defensive line. I’ve said it before, and I said it in one of the last press conferences: I’m very happy with him. He’s an undisputed leader.”

On the congested schedule: “I don’t want to make excuses; I just raised an issue. I’m glad we’re not playing Valladolid at 14:00 on Sunday. But why can’t we play at 18:00? For me, this is a joke, and it hurts Spanish football. Teams in other European leagues have this advantage. I don’t know what to say; this situation is unbelievable. In Germany or England, they think about their clubs. They don’t know what this schedule means for the players. All these late arrivals. I’d love to meet the person who sets the match schedules. This situation is like a joke.”

On Fermín López’s condition: “We’ll decide tomorrow. He’s ready. Fermín also did very well, but López is ready too.”

On the Copa del Rey final and whether Balde will be fit: “We’ll see how his condition progresses day by day. I still don’t know.”