Hansi Flick reveals the key for Barça to strike first against Benfica

The FC Barcelona will face a new test this coming Wednesday in the match against Benfica for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. In the lead-up to the visit of the Catalans to the Estádio da Luz, Hansi Flick spoke to the media in a press conference and shared his feelings ahead of a challenging clash for his team, as the coach himself acknowledged.

The match on March 5 will be the second for the Catalans against the Lisbon team this year, although the German hopes that his players will perform better than in the league phase match. "I think we will play with our idea. We will see what happens, hopefully, we will be better in counterattacks and stop their dynamics from the first half. It will be a tough match and we will try to improve our version," he commented.

However, when asked whether it is better to go all out or play knowing there is a return leg, the Barça coach admitted that "we have to keep in mind that there is a return leg. We must play with confidence, we need to improve what we did here. Not just defensively."

"At this stage, there is no easy match. I think we have to be very careful with this tie."

Flick was also asked whether he considers Barça to be favorites to win the Champions League, to which he replied, "At this stage, there is no easy match. I think we have to be very careful with this tie. Benfica is a great team, we are playing in a great stadium. They put a lot of pressure with their fans. I think it is not positive to say whether we are favorites or not. We focus on what is coming, that is the right way. It always starts at 0-0. In the Champions League and in the league. We must always give our best."

The coach highlighted that what he likes most about his rival is "the confidence with which they play with the ball, the dynamism, from one side to the other. It is difficult to defend this," before clearing balls regarding the starting eleven. "I am not going to give any hints, sometimes I do, but this time I am not going to do it, especially in a Champions League match," he stated.

The physical condition of Gavi and the key to defeating Benfica

When asked about Gavi's presence in the match after he did not train last Monday due to a feverish process, the German played coy by stating, "We will see, he did not train yesterday because he was not feeling well, but we will have to wait. He will have a visit with the doctor and we will see if he is well tomorrow."

The place of the Andalusian in the starting eleven would be taken by Dani Olmo, and Flick took the opportunity to outline the different contributions of both 'cracks' to his team. "I think Gavi can play in a different position, like a '10'. He gives us pressure, dynamism. He is very positive. Also, with the ball, he knows how to play. He comes from a significant injury and we have to be careful. We have matches every 3-4 days. Olmo likes to play as a 10, he can score and create chances," he stated.

Additionally, he took the opportunity to highlight the figure of Robert Lewandowski and reveal that the key to victory lies in the collective. "It is always important to have a striker in good form. For me, it is always about the team. The striker must always do his job. The key is that the rest of us, that we all are well. What we have been doing in the last two matches is the right thing. The team, not the individualities. I stick with that," he assured.

The possible signings of Neymar and Álvaro Carreras

Regarding the possible signing of Neymar Jr., who has been linked to a potential return to Barça next summer in recent weeks, Flick stated, "It is not my job. I focus on this team. We have great opportunities and we need to maintain them. This is Deco's job."

Finally, when asked about Álvaro Carreras, a left-back who has also been linked to a possible arrival in the Catalan capital, the coach assured that "he had a great match against us, he is a great player. But I do not talk about the future of other players, only about mine. We have two excellent left-backs and I am happy."