FC Barcelona Coach Flick Says ‘It’s Our Goal To Win Champions League’ After Benfica Victory

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said it’s his team's goal to win the Champions League after reaching the quarterfinals of the competition through a 3-1 last 16 second leg victory over Benfica.

The Catalans had a 1-0 advantage earned in Lisbon last week going into the meeting, and went 1-0 up again inside 11 minutes through Raphinha.

Nicolas Otamendi pulled one back just two minutes later, but further strikes from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal before half time meant that Barca prevailed 4-1 overall and set up a last eight meeting with either Lille or Borussia Dortmund, who play on Wednesday.

Speaking post match, Flick first said: “I'm very happy with the passage to the quarterfinals, of course.”

“We respected Benfica a lot, they made it difficult for us. Their coach prepared a great game with many transitions. We were able to control the game, it was nice to watch. We could have scored another goal, but we played very well,” he added.

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In a season where Barca has the chance to do a quadruple, Flick stated that “our goal is the win the Champions League, but we know that it is the most difficult trophy” to deliver.

After a La Liga meeting with Osasuna was postponed because of his tragic passing, the victory over Benfica honored Barca’s first team doctor Carles Minarro.

“This was our objective. After everything that happened, it’s been a great attitude and Carles will always be with us. He will always have a special place in our team.”

With the wonderboy grabbing a goal and assist, Flick said that Lamine’s strike was “incredible”.

“I’m very happy with him, he hadn’t scored for a long time. He’s showing a lot of confidence on the pitch, the goal was at the right time and it was very important for us,” Flick noted.

With Barca arguably the best team in Europe at the moment, Flick insisted that “you have to have an idea of how to play and think positively”.

“Everyone is very focused, and we are all positive - that’s good. It helps a lot that the players are so young, we are seeing it in training and in matches, they enjoy each other. I love the mentality of the players, they are very focused. They have a lot of fun together and we have a great atmosphere in the dressing room,” he concluded on this.

Next up for Barca is a top of the table La Liga showdown with Copa del Rey semifinal rivals Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on Sunday.