Barcelona prepares to face Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade tomorrow night for their fourth Champions League group-stage game. Although the Catalans are the favorites, the intense atmosphere at the Rajko Mitic Stadium may present a significant challenge.
In his pre-match press conference, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick acknowledged the difficulty of the game, stating, “In this new Champions League format, every win is crucial. We know it will be a tough match tomorrow as they are a strong team with fast attackers. Our goal is to win.”
Barcelona’s success with their high defensive line and offside trap has been notable, with 13 opponent goals ruled offside this season. Flick commented on the approach: “We’re playing connected, pressuring opponents, and the defensive line is performing well. It’s vital to limit their possession.”
While Barcelona has been in excellent form recently, Flick noted a dip in focus during the second half of their recent derby against Espanyol. Reflecting on this, he said, “It’s normal for intensity to drop sometimes, but we know the Champions League demands top performance. We are focused on improving where needed while staying positive.”
Barcelona’s recent away record in Europe hasn’t been stellar, but Flick remains forward-looking, saying, “The past doesn’t matter. We want to improve our Champions League results, and tomorrow is a great chance.”
Flick also provided an update on Gavi, who recently returned from a long injury. “We’re easing him back in gradually. He’s training well and adding control to our game,” said Flick.
The manager addressed the goalkeeping situation as well, with Wojciech Szczesny available but Inaki Pena performing well as the starter. Flick remarked, “Szczesny has been an asset in training and supports Inaki and the younger keepers. He’s ready whenever needed, offering stability and experience.”
Under Flick’s guidance, Barcelona has won 13 of their last 15 games, with players adapting well to his style. He praised their quick adjustment, saying, “The squad has embraced our philosophy in both attack and defense. The results reflect the quality we have, but there’s still room to grow.”
When asked about their Champions League prospects, Flick was cautiously optimistic. “It’s early, and there are strong competitors. Success will come with hard work, not just talk,” he said.
Fermin Lopez, a young Barcelona player, recently credited Flick for the team’s improvements, but Flick redirected the praise to the entire group, highlighting Deco’s role in player development. “The teamwork here has been amazing. Watching them in training is a joy, and everyone’s commitment—from veterans to youngsters—has been crucial.”
As for Barcelona’s group-stage progression, Flick downplayed any calculations, saying, “The goal is simply to win each game. We’re focused on reaching the top eight, and I’m confident we’ll get there.”
