Hansi Flick says that Barcelona is not watching the LaLiga classification, with strong performance their only focus in this phase of the season.
Barca could return to the top of the table on Monday if they defeated Rayo Vallecano in the Olympic Stadium after both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were held at 1-1 tie on Saturday.
Flick's side was in the first place for the first 14 match days, but saw their leadership slips while Madrid jumped them, but the door is open again. Barcelona is currently third in the table, and although they are three points behind Los Blancos, they have a superior target difference.
Barcelona is currently not the favorites to lift Laliga, whereby the OPTA -SUPERCOMPUTER gives them a 32.3% chance of getting the silverware, with Madrid's chances at 50.5%.
“We don't have to look at the rankings. There is still a long way to go and what we want to show is a good performance,” Flick told reporters.
“I feel that the team has more and more confidence in its strength and has a good time. That is the most important thing.
“I feel that the players want to show what kind of team they are and what mentality they have. And that is great for the coaches … Our will is to keep improving, and I think that's actually what we doing.”
After struggling in Laliga at the end of last year while he missed the 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal due to an injury, Barca is now on an unbeaten run of 11 games in all games.
Barcelona has won their last three LaLiga matches, which won only one of their previous eight in the competition (W1 D3 L4). After 13 consecutive victories between 2003 and 2019, however, the Blaugrana won only two of their last seven meetings with Rayo in Laliga (D2 L3) – although they have been the most recent two.
Flick remains on their care for Rayo, who are on an unbeaten line of nine games in the competition and each of the last three wins.
“When I arrived, I was told that Rayo was a brave team. I always heard that. Their coach [Inigo Perez] Is incredible, and they have very good results, “said Flick.
“What is the most important to me, and my priority, is our team. That is what we can do best. I know it is important that the environment is in charge, and it would be important to gain confidence.
“But the first thing we have to do is play and win 90 good minutes.”
The Catalan side is also stimulated by the return of Ronald Arajo from injury.
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