Hansi Flick expressed confidence in Barcelona‘s ability to compete with the Premier League, which he regards as the “best in the world.” This comes as the Spanish champions gear up for their Champions League last-16 first leg against Newcastle United on Tuesday.
Newcastle is one of six teams from the Premier League to advance this far, and they stand in Barça’s way to reach the quarterfinals next month.
This matchup marks the second encounter in the Champions League between the two clubs this season, following Barça’s 2-1 victory in the league phase at Newcastle in September.
The aggregate will be decided on March 18 at Spotify Camp Nou.
“The Premier League is a fantastic league; in my opinion, it’s the best in the world,” said Barça’s coach Flick in a pre-match press conference on Monday. “The league is full of strong teams with significant financial power, which explains why six English clubs are competing at this level.”
“However, we are strong as well, not just Newcastle, Manchester City, or Arsenal or Tottenham; we have tremendous quality and need to stay true to our style and approach.”
“We aim to play like Barça in the Champions League as well. Our fans take great pride in our style of play, and we intend to showcase that tomorrow.”
On the domestic front, Newcastle has struggled, losing three of their last five league matches and currently sitting 12th in the table. They were also eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester City over the weekend.
Despite their recent form, Flick acknowledges the challenge that Newcastle will present, especially playing on home turf.
“The Champions League brings a different dynamic,” the German coach noted regarding Newcastle’s inconsistent league performances. “Every team at this stage strives to deliver their best. Expect a fantastic atmosphere; their fans will energize the team, pushing them to play an aggressive, intense match.”
“We need to be courageous in our build-up play. It won’t be an easy task. We must find effective solutions against a rapidly evolving team with exceptional players. We need to manage that effectively.”
Barça will be missing key players due to injuries, including Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde, Andreas Christensen, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong, but Flick confirmed that midfielder Marc Bernal is fit after recovering from a stomach issue.
Marcus Rashford, who netted both goals when Barça defeated Newcastle in September, could also play a role after making his first start in a month during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Athletic Club.
“Marcus was sidelined with injuries for several games, but now he is back. We’ll see how it goes; I haven’t made a final decision yet, but he is certainly a strong option,” said Flick.
The lead-up to Barcelona’s match in England has been overshadowed by the ongoing tensions between Flick’s predecessor Xavi Hernández and president Joan Laporta, coinciding with Sunday’s presidential election where club members will choose between Laporta and Victor Font.
Flick reassured that club politics would not interfere with his team’s focus. “This is an incredibly important week for us as we aim to advance to the next round,” he stated. “Our attention is solely on the match. My focus is firmly on preparing my team for tomorrow’s game.”