Hansi Flick: 'Nobody is taking it for granted we are through'

The second leg of the last 16 Champions League tie between Barça and Benfica is almost upon us. The blaugranes have the advantage after their 1-0 win in the Estádio da Luz last week in Lisbon, but the tie is far from over, as Hansi Flick pointed out in his pre-game press conference at the Ciutat Esportiva on Monday. "We have to be 100% focused and the best thing is not to think about the first leg. Nobody is taking it for granted that we are through to the quarter-finals. We have to win," said the Barça boss. 

On Tuesday at the Estadi Olímpic, kick off 6.45pm CET, the blaugranes will be up against a Benfica side who "are a great side with a great coach and they have played really well away from home" according to Flick. 

"We have to pressure more against Benfica and defend well. In Lisbon we saw how they can counter and we have to be careful," continued the German, before adding: "We have to be focused and have the right attitude to get the win. We are preparing well; it's an important moment for the Club and we want to do well," said Flick in a press conference that also served to remember the figure of Carles Miñarro, who sadly passed away at the weekend.   

Flick went on to admit that his team appear to be in excellent form at the moment: "The players are doing fantastically well, they are in a good run at the moment and we are confident - we have to maintain that for this game." Nevertheless, there is still work to be done. "This morning in the meeting we showed them what we did well in Lisbon and where we have to improve," said the coach. 

On an individual level, the coach commented on the man who scored the winner in Lisbon. "Raphinha always helps us with his energy and goals. He has everything a good player needs," concluded the German before again highlighting that the tie was far from decided.