Barcelona triumphed over their fierce rivals Real Madrid to secure the Copa del Rey title over the weekend, a victory that manager Hansi Flick believes will serve as additional motivation rather than a distraction as they prepare to face Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final.
Flick’s squad, currently at the summit of LaLiga, completed the first stage of their treble campaign with a thrilling extra-time 3-2 win on Saturday. When asked if he needed to temper his players’ excitement ahead of the first leg against the Italians on Wednesday, Flick responded confidently.
“Not at all; from what I can see, everyone is laser-focused on this match, understanding how crucial it is to reach the Champions League final,” Flick told the media.
“This win against Real is significantly beneficial for our morale and could act as a catalyst. We recognise the hard work required to earn a place in the final. It’s a dream for all of us to be here, and we must keep our concentration.”
“Inter boasts a squad with players who may see this as their last chance to reach a final, and they will give everything they’ve got.”
After an exhilarating 120 minutes against Real, Flick is keen to see how his team responds during training.
“We’ll assess things tomorrow; today isn’t the right time to discuss the starting XI. We’ll evaluate how they recover and what unfolds,” Flick explained.
“Additionally, Inter played on Sunday, so they have less recovery time, but this is a Champions League semi-final, and everyone aims to perform at their best.”
Flick confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will remain his first-choice goalkeeper in the Champions League, despite the return of long-term absentee Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Inter’s pursuit of a treble came to an unfortunate end last week following their defeat to AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, coupled with two successive league losses that allowed Napoli to seize the top spot in Serie A, creating a three-point gap.
Nevertheless, Flick will not alter his strategy against a side that is currently on a three-match losing streak.
“The Champions League represents a significant opportunity for Inter to capture a trophy; they’re just two matches away from the final, just as we are,” Flick noted.
“Past matches are irrelevant. I don’t dwell on them because that’s not my role; my focus is solely on my team.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
