Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Wednesday that winning LaLiga is their main goal for the season before their Champions League encounter against Atalanta. Barcelona qualified for the last 16.
Barcelona, who have won all but one game in the new format, are second with 18 points, three behind leaders Liverpool, who play 19th-placed PSV Eindhoven. Flick’s club is in the last 16 and may catch LaLiga leaders Real Madrid by seven points regardless of Europa League holders Atalanta.
“For me, LaLiga is the most important thing we can win, and we can aspire to it all season,” the German manager stated Tuesday at a press conference.
“With so many great clubs, the Super Cup, Copa del Rey, and Champions League are the hardest to win.
“We want to finish this first phase in the second place because it’s a good situation for the next steps in the competition.”
Atalanta has 14 Champions League points, fifth.
“It’s always difficult to play against Italian teams because they defend great,” he said.
The Atlante play one-on-one throughout the field. The buildup is stressful, and they change fast after winning the ball. Be ready since they typically play one contact.”
On Tuesday, Barcelona announced that defender Andreas Christensen, who damaged his calf in Monday’s training, will miss three weeks.
Hansi Flick chose Wojciech Szczesny over Inaki Pena as his number one goalkeeper after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending injury. The goalkeeper is amazing. “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made since coming here,” said the German coach.
“Praising Wojciech weakens Inaki, which I don’t like. My job is to decide.
Szczesny is personable and experienced. Both goalkeepers are great, but my staff and I chose Szczesny. I made this choice despite Inaki’s great work.”