Sports / Mon, 31 Aug 2026 Barca Blaugranes

‘A top striker’ - Hansi Flick talks Gabriel Jesus after Barcelona beat Rayo

Hansi Flick coaches during the match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club, corresponding to week 1 of LaLiga EA Sports 2026-27, played at the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona, on August 27, 2026. Flick was quizzed on the striker after the game and told DAZN: “For me, Gabriel Jesus is a top striker. I’m very happy he’s here. He can give us a lot.”The Barcelona boss also urged his team to improve after Monday’s showing. Flick said his team must learn to control games better if they are to be successful this season.

Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick says he’s happy that Gabriel Jesus is set to sign for the club from Arsenal and feels the Brazilian can “give us a lot.”

Jesus was in the stands on Monday night to watch Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 in La Liga and is due to complete his transfer on Tuesday.

Flick was quizzed on the striker after the game and told DAZN: “For me, Gabriel Jesus is a top striker. I’m very happy he’s here. He can give us a lot.”

The Barcelona boss also urged his team to improve after Monday’s showing.

The Catalans dominated the match but went behind when Sergio Camello opened the scoring. Barca hit back quickly but did concede a second goal to Camello after the break.

Flick said his team must learn to control games better if they are to be successful this season.

“The first half we played very well. The reaction after the goal has been very good,” he said after the game.

”When we’re winning 3-1 we have to control the ball better because we have the quality to do it. It’s good to score, but with the ball we need to recover. We have to make the ball run.