Flashscore has published Oliver Domínguez's interview with Royal Antwerp centre-back Alvaro Cortes, covering Barcelona, Hansi Flick, Sunday's Clasico, La Masia and his move to Belgium. Cortes joined Royal Antwerp in the summer after making his first-team debut last season.
Barcelona and the Clasico
Cortes said: "It was already clear that Barca had been enjoying very good momentum since last year, and with the reinforcements they signed in the summer, it was obvious they would be aiming for everything with as much ambition as possible. The truth is that, at the moment, I see them as favourites for any trophy."
On Sunday's Clasico, Cortes said: "For me, yes. As a Barca fan and someone who has been inside the team, I see Barca as favourites for every match. But it is true that in a Clasico, the teams' respective form goes out of the window."
He also said he agreed with Flick's view that titles are not won in October and said he sees Barcelona as more than ready to win the Champions League. On Barcelona's recent game against PSG, he said PSG were more clinical and that it could have gone either way.
Flick and defensive demands
Cortes said working with Flick was very easy and described him as direct, approachable, intense, professional and demanding. He added that Flick does not focus on age and judges young players on their level.
Cortes said: "I remember that we did a lot of work on the defensive line and on working together. We were asked to be very active and fully involved in the game, even when the ball wasn't on our side. We had to make sure we stayed in line with the opposing defender, be brave and move forward, pushing the line high, as everyone knows, to deny the opposition space and force them into mistakes."
He said Flick's biggest change at Barcelona was combining the so-called Barca style with direct, very dynamic football played at a high tempo, especially without the ball.
La Masia and his debut
Cortes said he arrived at La Masia at 16. He said La Masia helps young players with studies, day-to-day life and dealing with leaving home.
On his debut against Alaves, Cortes said: "The truth is that it was the best day of my life. It was one of the dreams I had had since I was a child, and it was an incredible day. I remember finding out during the afternoon snack that I was going to start. I called my family and friends, and they came rushing from Zaragoza."
He said he is especially in touch with Brian Farinas, Xavi Espart and Gerard Martin, and also mentioned Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi and Marc Bernal.
Belgium and Royal Antwerp
On his adaptation, Cortes said: "The adaptation has been very positive, both personally and athletically. From the very beginning, the club showed a great deal of confidence in me, which was very important because I am young, I have moved to a new country, and I am playing in a different competition."
He said Belgian football is much more physical, more demanding and perhaps more competitive. He also said he thinks the Belgian league is a good place for young players to develop, improve and start making important decisions in their career.
Cortes said Royal Antwerp do not have a specific target but want to finish as high as possible. He also said he is at the oldest club in Belgium. On Club Brugge, he said they are one of the best teams in Belgium, are ready to compete in the Champions League, and that his second game in Belgium was away at Club Brugge.
He added that he spoke to Victor before coming to Belgium and that Victor warned him the league is very physical. Cortes also said he spoke to Nicolo Tresoldi and asked him why he had not gone to Barca.