Hansi Flick's Champions League

The distance between Berlin and Munich by road is 584 kilometers. But for Barcelona fans, the distance between Berlin and Munich is above all ten years of Champions League hardship. Barça won their last European Cup in the German capital in 2015. In the Bavarian city, they hope to end their drought in 2025. To end it, the entire club and all the fans are relying on a coach who knows nothing about Germany. Yes, Hansi Flick, a continental champion with Bayern in 2020, has become the key to a club that has a firm hold on the renewal of its coach until 2027. The two sides have been in complete harmony since day one, and the results have only served to confirm their love affair.

Flick, however, now prefers to focus on a present that offers no respite, with the treble as a plausible objective, rather than confirming what is an open secret: that he will sign for one more year than his commitment. "What is certain is that I will be here as coach next season, as I have a contract until 2026. As I have said before, I am very happy to be here, to work here. I love being here, but now is not the time to think beyond that; we have to focus on Inter. My players are much more important than my situation." The team is enjoying a moment of grace under his command and is preparing to face Inter this Wednesday in Montjuïc (9:00 p.m.) and next Tuesday in Milan, a semi-final full of footballing traps, despite the Italian side arriving in Barcelona on the back of three consecutive defeats.

“The win against Madrid in the Cup could give us a boost against Inter.”

But Inter are never as dangerous as when they're more hidden than in their prime, fleeing from any favoritism. They're the antithesis of Flick's Barça, of their spirit, of their way of playing. Barcelona have racked up 37 goals in the Champions League, while the Lombardy side have conceded only 5 in the tournament. The best attack against the best defense. A kind of escape room for Barça, which won't deviate from its offensive will, but will have to be surgical. "In Europe, there are few defenses like Inter's. We have to take care of the ball and not make mistakes," the German analyzed.

At this point, even if strength is lacking, it's the head and legs that rule. And Flick hopes that the emotional factor will be key to Barça reaching the final. There are two ways to understand the drain of the Cup: as a waste of energy that can take its toll, or as a confidence booster. The German coach opts for the latter.

“My players are more important now, but I'm happy to work here.”

“When you win a final against Madrid, it's naturally about managing your emotions, but now we have the opportunity to be in the Champions League final, the most important final on the calendar; it's a dream come true for everyone. A win against Madrid can give us a boost.” As a way to bridge the gap between the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, the coach held a long meeting with his players before yesterday's training session. “Everyone is focused. We had a meeting to discuss what we need to improve on for the final and how to face Inter. We have to be at our best,” Flick analyzed.

He doesn't have Lewandowski or Balde back, so he could repeat Saturday's lineup or introduce a change in midfield, like Fermín, who performed well against Madrid. "He's always an option to start. He goes deep, he's very important for us both on and off the ball, his performance is very high," the coach praised. Flick didn't give too many clues about the starting lineup. He did, however, confirm Szczesny's starting lineup. "He'll play in the Champions League. Then we'll see if I make any changes in goal in La Liga at some point," he said, opening the door to ter Stegen for upcoming matches. But Inter first. Hansi Flick's words.