Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has urged his players to rise above their Champions League disappointment and deliver a commanding performance in Sunday’s pivotal La Liga Clasico against arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Despite Tuesday’s semi-final exit at the hands of Inter Milan, which dashed Barca’s hopes of a historic quadruple, the Catalan giants remain four points clear at the top of the table with four games to play, which includes Sunday’s clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Saturday, Flick emphasized the importance of mental resilience and a high-intensity display against the reigning champions.
“We spoke about what the players are thinking and feeling, that dialogue is vital,” said Flick. “In a Clasico, you must be at your very best. We want to see an intense, dominant team on the pitch.”
Barcelona head into the encounter with a perfect record against Real Madrid this season, having claimed three victories, a 4-0 league triumph at the Bernabeu in October, a 5-2 Super Cup win in January, and a hard-fought 3-2 Copa del Rey final victory in April.
Even with a loss, Barca would retain a slim lead at the summit, but Flick dismissed any talk of playing for a draw.
“We approach every game with the goal of winning,” he stated. “The table doesn’t change our mindset. This Clasico means a lot to the fans, the club, the players, and to us as coaches.”
Barcelona were boosted by the return to fitness of Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado, while striker Robert Lewandowski also made his comeback as a substitute in midweek. However, Flick suggested all three are more likely to start from the bench.
“We’ll manage their minutes carefully, we still have three more matches after this one,” he added.
Sunday’s showdown could prove decisive in the title race, with Real Madrid looking to close the gap and Barcelona aiming to tighten their grip on the league crown.
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