Hansi Flick: 'We'll play the best possible team'

Time to think about LaLiga. Table toppers FC Barcelona have their next league game against Osasuna (8 March, 9.00pm CET), an opponent who managed to beat the blaugranes in the reverse fixture. All the same during the pre-match press conference, Hans-Dieter Flick made it clear that this "will be a different game" and they will be "well prepared".

"We have to rotate"

However, rotations will be needed for the match, mainly because it falls between the two Champions League last 16 legs. "We still haven't decided, but we have to rotate. We'll put the best team on the pitch. We manage it well and we'll do it again tomorrow", assured the German coach. He also indicated that both he and his coaching staff – who he rates as "wonderful" – think it's "important to have the best possible team on the playing field".

Very happy with the team

He once again highlighted his players' commitment, stating "I am very proud of the team in any situation, they always respond well". "I think we have a good philosophy, think positively, pressing and focusing on how we want to play", he went on to add, before reaffirming that he thinks his team has reached "another level in terms of team performance", and that there is a "wonderful atmosphere" in the dressing room.

Pedri playing at an incredible level

He was also able to emphasise Pedri's importance to the team, stating that "he is very professional and has an incredible attitude". “He is recovering well after games and training at a high level. You can see it on the pitch. He plays as he trains. He makes us strong in that position, but you have to think about the future. We'll decide tomorrow”, he said regarding the Canary Island midfielder potentially being rotated.