Barcelona’s mission as the league phase of their European campaign concludes at home to Copenhagen on Wednesday night is clear: win, and win big.
Going into the final round of matches, Hansi Flick’s side are one of eight clubs on 13 points in the Champions League standings. Goal difference is the only factor separating Paris Saint-Germain in sixth place and Atalanta in 13th.
With a top-eight finish required to avoid a two-legged play-off and advance directly to the last 16, Barcelona sit ninth, a point behind Chelsea on goal difference but five adrift of Newcastle and PSG by the same measure. Directly behind the Catalan club are Sporting, who also have a five-point goal difference, followed by Manchester City (four), Atlético Madrid (three) and Atalanta (one).
With the margins fine, Flick is acutely aware of the need for goals. But the Barcelona manager insists his players must approach the contest with an appreciation of the threat posed by the 26th-placed Danish side, who need a win of their own if they are to advance to the play-offs.
What did Hansi Flick say about Barcelona’s need for goals against Copenhagen?
“First, we have to play the game and respect Copenhagen,” said Flick. “We have to play at our highest level. We need to try to keep a clean sheet and then take it one step at a time.
“The most important thing is that we do our job and play at our best. It won’t be an easy match. The goal is to finish in the top eight.
“We’re concentrating on our own game, on what we have to do. The main objective is to keep a clean sheet and win the game.
“We won’t be focused on other matches; what we have to do is stick to our style, play the way we know how, and strive to be at our best. It’s the Champions League, and the Champions League demands being at our absolute best.”
Which players will Barcelona be missing against Copenhagen?
Barcelona’s task will be none the easier for the absence of two key midfielders. While Frenkie de Jong is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the competition in last week’s chaotic 4-2 win against Slavia Prague, Pedri has been sidelined for at least a month after suffering a hamstring injury in the same game.
On the plus side, top scorer Ferran Torres has returned from injury sooner than expected and will be in contention to feature for the first time since giving way to Robert Lewandowski at Real Sociedad earlier this month.
“He had his final tests yesterday, and he trained today,” Flick said on Tuesday. “He’s fine and ready for tomorrow. I’m happy he’s recovered so quickly.”
