Barcelona coach Hansi Flick dismissed suggestions that his team has an easy path to the Champions League final as they prepare for their last-16 clash against Benfica.
The five-time European champions travel to Lisbon on Wednesday for the first leg, with a potential quarter-final meeting against either Borussia Dortmund or Lille if they progress.
Meanwhile, heavyweights like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain are in the other half of the draw, meaning Barcelona could only face them in a potential final.
Flick, however, rejected any notion that Barcelona’s route to the final was less challenging.
“I think in this phase there’s no easy game. Every team deserves to be here at this stage, and I think Benfica too,” Flick told reporters on Tuesday.
“Benfica is a fantastic team. Tomorrow we play in a great stadium, and it’s really a special atmosphere there. Their fans push the team a lot, supporting them, and it will be really tough, hard work for us.”
Barcelona, who last won the Champions League in 2015, finished second in their group and remain among the favourites to lift the trophy.
When asked about title contenders, Flick remained focused on the task at hand. “The next match is always the most difficult opponent. Right now, that’s Benfica. It’s not good to look too far ahead,” said the German coach.
Defender Pau Cubarsí, who has quickly become a key player since his debut in January 2024, echoed Flick’s sentiments, recalling Barcelona’s dramatic 5-4 group-stage win over Benfica.
Benfica, meanwhile, will be without key midfielders Ángel Di María and Florentino Luís, coach Bruno Lage confirmed.
“They will not be available for the game. I don’t know at the moment when they will be able to play,” Lage said.
