At a glance
- Reacting to PSG’s epic 5-4 win over his former club Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinal first leg, FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick says his team can compete with both outfits.
- The manager also gave an update on Lamine, who expects to make the World Cup.
- Barca can wrap up the La Liga title if things go their way this weekend.
Hansi Flick stated this his FC Barcelona team can “100%” compete with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Flick was asked this in reaction to this week’s epic semifinal first leg won 5-4 by the Parisians at the Parc des Princes.
Barca of course fell in the semifinals last season and quarterfinals this term. Had they got there, however, it would’ve been a meeting with champions PSG in the 2025 final and either Luis Enrique’s men or former employers Bayern in Budapest soon.
Given the Catalans’ defensive frailties and risky high line, it’s felt by some that Barca would ulimately fail in the decider against such opposition. And while nobody knows how a final can turn out, Flick is confident his team would give it a good go.
“One hundred percent. We can compete with these teams,” Flick said, when asked about the topic.
Barcelona winger Lamine looks good for the United States
Ruled out for the rest of the season, Lamine Yamal will be fit to play for Spain in North America this season after Barca met with La Roja’s medical experts at the start of the week.
“We are in contact with the doctors of the national team and he’s evolving well. We will see him at the World Cup. He has time and that’s what he wants,” Flick said.
As ever, Flick was tight-lipped on possibly becoming only the third team in history to seal a 100-point La Liga triumph.
“We focus only on the next game,” he said. “Obviously we want to win all the matches. I’m not very good at numbers, but we want to win all the games. Our goal is to play at the best level and learn from mistakes. I’m happy with what I see in the sessions, I see a positive environment. The situation is very positive at present.”
Barca are currently on 85 points and can therefore hit this milestone by winning their five remaining fixtures. First up is Osasuna, though. And Barca can already become champions if they are victorious in El Sadar and Espanyol see off Real Madrid.
