Tue Jan 21 19:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona Coach Flick Plays Down Champions League Hopes, Focuses on Benfica Clash

LISBON, Portugal – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has tempered expectations surrounding his team’s Champions League aspirations, insisting the focus remains solely on securing victory against Benfica on Tuesday. While acknowledging Barcelona’s strong position (second in the group), Flick praised the dominance of league leaders Liverpool, calling them “one of my favourite teams in the world right now.”

Flick highlighted the intense competition in the Champions League, stating that while reaching the final is the goal, success is far from guaranteed. He expressed admiration for Benfica’s style of play and singled out Angel Di Maria as a favourite player.

Despite Barcelona’s impressive Copa del Rey form (a 5-1 win over Real Betis) and their second place standing in the Champions League group, their La Liga performance has been inconsistent. A four-game winless streak, including a 1-1 draw against Getafe on Saturday, has left them seven points behind Real Madrid and five behind Atletico Madrid. Flick, however, defended his team’s La Liga performances, stating that despite the results, the team is playing well and working hard. He attributed some of the struggles to his lack of prior experience in La Liga.

The upcoming match against Benfica is crucial for Barcelona, as a win would solidify their place in the Champions League’s top eight, avoiding the playoffs. Flick’s personal history with Benfica’s stadium, where he won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020, adds another layer of intrigue to the encounter.

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