Flick praises Ferran Torres’ influence as the striker after Copa del Rey Hat -trick

Barcelona -trainer Hansi Flick Rost Ferran Torres‘Ability to complete for Robert Lewandowski After the front net a hat trick in Thursday’s 5-0 Copa del Rey quarter-final victory over Valencia at Mestalla.

Fermín López and Lamine Yamal was on too

Torres’ treble took his number for the season to 11 in all competitions, with Flick increasingly using the wing as a central striker to rest Lewandowski.

“It’s important that everyone shows their best,” Flick said at a news conference when asked about Barça, who doesn’t lose their nose when Lewandowski is not on the field.

“Ferran, his performance was really good. As # 9 it counts that you score goals and he did really well today.

“I’m happy because he scored three goals. It’s astonishing because he haven’t had an easy time this season. He came back after an injury and I’m happy with him he was big today.”

Torres was one of several players who entered the Barça side when Flick bent his team’s depth, with López, Frenkie de Jong and Eric García Also handed down starter.

The changes did not affect Barça’s rhythm as they followed up beating Valencia 7-1 in Laliga two weeks ago by fighting into a 4-0 lead at Mestalla within the first 30 minutes.

“Now it’s important (to show that depth) because we have hard weeks and months until the end of the season,” the German coach added.

“It’s important that everyone shows their best; how good they are. This helps us a lot. I’m glad the players come in, score goals and play really well.

“I’m happy as the fight against Valencia at home (in Laliga). Today we started very focused from the beginning, created great chances and scored the goals.”

It was a bittersweet hat-trick for Torres when it came against his former club, now out of the cup and fighting for their lives in Laliga.

His third goal in the 30th minute was the signal for some Valencia supporters to go to exits, while others remained to protest the club’s ownership.

“I wish them the best of luck in the world, I hope they stop because I’m still a fan,” Torres told journalists after refusing to celebrate his goals.

“It’s hard to see the club in your life suffering like that. They go through a hard time. I hope fans can forget all the non-sports (problems) and get behind the players because they need it to keep up.

Carlos Corberán’s side can now fully focus on Laliga, where they are currently the second bottom and four points from security with 16 games to go.

“I apologize for the fans for giving them so little after receiving so much (support) from them,” Corberán said at a news conference.

“These fans do not deserve what happened today on the field. We were nowhere near the required level. We have to transform the pain we feel into a reaction in our next game.”

Valencia hosts fighters Leganés in a huge league match at Mestalla on Sunday, while Barça travels to Sevilla later on the same day.