Hansi Flick said that Barcelona will honor the life of their team Doctor Carles Minarro Garcia by giving everything to win their Champions League last 16 draw against Benfica.
Barcelona's Laliga competition with Osasuna was postponed last Saturday after Minarro suddenly died in the team hotel, just a few hours before the kick-off in the Camp Nou.
Flick said it was a difficult past two days when they mourn the death of their deceased team doctor, but said that his players were very good with the situation.
He added that his team would find extra motivation against Benfica, which they lead 1-0 from the first stage to pay tribute to a man who was well respected in the dressing room.
“The team treats the situation well. We are very focused on the game and we want to play for him. In this situation it is very important to win for him,” said Flick.
“We are ready. We have to go further and continue. It's our job.
“It is an important situation for the club to continue in the competition, and we want to do well to honor him. It is a big loss. He was a great person and a great doctor.
“He was incredible for the team and for the club. He was a fundamental part of our team that will be greatly missed.”
In anticipation of the Flick press conference on Monday, Barcelona held a minute of silence to express their respect to Minarro.
Always in our memory, carles pic.twitter.com/HDGF6GYUEV
– FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona) March 9, 2025
Barcelona has a slim benefit in their draw against Benfica and earned a hard -fought victory after Pau Cubarsi was sent away in the 22nd minute of the game.
They have already beat Benfica twice in the Champions League this season, with both victories from home (5-4 in January and 1-0 last week).
Benfica has never before been beaten three times by the same opponent in the same European campaign, although Flick was convinced that his team could keep the momentum and continued to the quarterfinals.
The side of Flick is unbeaten in their last eight games in the Champions League (W7 D1), the longest current run in the competition.
They last had a longer undefeated run within the same Champions League campaign in 2018-19 (11 games), when they were removed from reaching the final (eliminated by Liverpool in the semi-final).
Barcelona is also on an undefeated run of 16 games over all games and contrary to three large titles.
The Blaugrana led Laliga and reached the Copa del Rey semi-final in which they pulled 4-4 with Atletico Madrid in the first stage before the return of 2 April.
“We are at a very good time, in a fantastic dynamic. We hope to continue like this,” said Flick.
“I see the team very focused. This morning we had a conversation and we went through all the good things they had done lately.
“Nobody has considered anything for granted. That is the most important thing. The team, if it has a good dynamic, for me, that's the most important thing.”
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