On Tuesday, Barcelona arrived in Belgrade to prepare for their Champions League group stage match against FK Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade). Before the final training session, Ferran and head coach Flick attended a press conference to analyze the upcoming game. Both emphasized that the team will give it their all to maintain their winning momentum and continue improving their position in the standings.
At the press conference, Flick stated, “In this season’s Champions League, victory is our only goal. Tomorrow’s match will be very tough, as our opponents have a strong team with fast forwards. However, my team has been performing exceptionally well. We must give it our all, and our target is to reach the quarter-finals.”
Flick further pointed out, “Obviously, we need to improve our performance in the second half against Espanyol, but what’s important is to stay positive, focused, and mentally prepared.”
Flick emphasized, “There’s still a long way to go, and I don’t even look at the standings right now because my focus is solely on winning. Only victory counts.” He also mentioned, “Winning the Champions League requires tremendous effort, and many excellent teams share the same goal, which means we have to work even harder.”
Regarding the team’s performance, especially the frequent offside calls against opponents in recent matches, Flick downplayed the issue when asked about it. However, he did stress, “We are going through a great period, and we hope to maintain this momentum.” He added, “Our philosophy is to play high-quality football and ensure the entire team works closely together. Whether in defense or attack, we strive to do our best.”
Additionally, Flick specifically highlighted the positive atmosphere in the dressing room and the collective effort of the entire team. “We have an outstanding support staff, and the coaching staff is doing an excellent job. But most importantly, we have an incredible team. Watching their training sessions is a pleasure. Everything is going smoothly, and every player is highly motivated, which makes me very happy. Not only have the young players made significant progress, but experienced players are also helping the younger ones grow. On and off the pitch, everyone is united, and that’s what true team spirit is all about.”