Flick: I Expect Better from Barcelona Against Benfica
German coach Hansi Flick hopes his team, Barcelona, will show improvement when they face Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday after a series of poor results.
The Catalan giants have won only once in their last 8 matches, falling behind in the Spanish league title race to leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Atletico. However, they are flying high in the Champions League.
They also defeated Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final and overcame Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, which gave Flick hope that his players have regained form despite a disappointing 1-1 draw against Getafe in the league on Saturday.
Flick told reporters on Monday: “When you look at La Liga and the results, they’re not 100% good. There’s nothing to hide, this isn’t what we want.”
He added: “But when I see how we played after the winter break, it was really good… so I hope to see my team play a different style of football tomorrow (Tuesday).”
He continued: “I think Benfica, as a team, always loves to play football. They’re really good with the ball… and (Argentinian Ángel) Di María is one of my favorite players. He’s been playing really well, even at this age.”
Benfica coach Bruno Lage, meanwhile, said Barcelona is among the favorites to win the tournament, a feat they last achieved 10 years ago.
Lage explained: “Of course (they are among the favorites), because of what they’re doing and because they are a historic team with high quality.”
He added: “Barcelona likes to have possession of the ball, but you can see the coach’s fingerprint – they play a more vertical style of football with more pressing.”
