Hansi Flick explains why he let Vitor Roque leave Barcelona before the clash against Real Betis

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick explained that he considered it would be more beneficial for Vítor Roque to leave the club in the summer after his arrival. Roque arrived on loan to Real Betis this summer, but the Verdiblancos have an option to purchase 50% of the player’s rights at the end of the season.

Roque has spoken at length about his struggles in Barcelona and the feeling that he was not loved or trusted. He currently has five goals in 18 games for Betis this season, but has become a regular under Manuel Pellegrini.

Hansi Flick in the #ClubWorldCup2025:

“I can’t change it. We are not there and well, at the end of next season I also think about my players who already have a great physical load. Maybe it would be good for them to rest more. We will have a longer preseason to prepare them.” #Barça pic.twitter.com/FfsZ8SMjJq

— Soccer Spain (@footballespana_) December 6, 2024

Flick was asked if he was worried about the 18-year-old coming back to haunt Barcelona.

“No, I believe in my players, all teams have good players, that’s how it is, and the same thing happens at Real Betis. So we have to take care of that and defend well, with the whole team, as a unit. Of course he is doing well and is looking forward to it.”

“I think he didn’t have the best situation when he arrived in Barcelona. I spoke to him sometimes, when he was here I felt that he was not happy, so I think it was the right decision for him to start with another team. It’s good for him. I’m happy for him. From a human point of view, it is a good thing.”

Flick, one of the few high-level South American coaches currently in Europe, was also asked his opinion on his counterpart from Saturday at 16:15 CEST, Real Betis coach Pellegrini.

“He is a coach with a lot of experience and knows how to get the most out of his players. His teams always play great football and they love having the ball and he knows how to convey confidence to the player,” Flick said of Pellegrini.

Flick: “Araújo? He won’t be ready for tomorrow. Maybe against Dortmund, but our goal is for him to be with us against Leganés. Ansu and Christensen? We hope to see them again at the end of the year.”

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) December 6, 2024

Barcelona will face a tough task against Betis at the Benito Villamarín on Saturday, kicking off at 16:15 CEST. Betis are notoriously strong at home, as they demonstrated with a victory over Atlético Madrid. Outside of the Copa del Rey, the Verdiblancos are on a streak of three consecutive losses.