Prior to their Champions League match against Atalanta, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated on Wednesday that winning LaLiga is the team’s primary objective for the season. Barcelona made it to the round of 16.
With 18 points, Barcelona is in second place, three behind leaders Liverpool, who face PSV Eindhoven of 19th place. The Catalans have won all but one game in the new format. Ignoring Atalanta, the holders of the Europa League, Flick’s club is in the round of 16. They have a seven-point lead over Real Madrid, the top of LaLiga.
“The LaLiga is the most important thing we can win, and we can aspire to it all season,” made the German manager say during a news conference on Tuesday.
The Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League are the most difficult to win because there are so many quality clubs.
“We want to finish this first phase in the second place because it’s a good situation for the next steps in the competition.”
With 14 points, Atalanta is in fifth place in the Champions League.
“It’s always difficult to play against Italian teams because they defend great,” according to him.
Across the field, the Atlante engage in one-on-one play. They make rapid adjustments once they get the ball, and the buildup is nerve-wracking. Being prepared is key, as they usually only play one contact.
After defender Andreas Christensen hurt his calf in Monday’s practice, the Catalan club announced on Tuesday that he will be out for three weeks.
Following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending injury, Wojciech Szczesny was selected by Hansi Flick over Inaki Pena as the starting goalkeeper. An incredible goalkeeper. “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made since coming here,” the German coach stated.
I don’t like how praising Wojciech undermines Inaki. Making decisions is my job.
Experienced and kind, Szczesny is a great choice. Of the two excellent goalkeepers, my staff and I settled on Szczesny. Despite Inaki’s excellent work, I made this option.