Hansi Flick says Barça will have to be 'at their best from the start' against PSG
FC Barcelona are all set to host Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday, kick off 9pm CEST, on Match Day 2 of the league phase of this season's UEFA Champions League. Hansi Flick's squad trained at the Ciutat Esportiva on Tuesday morning after which the German coach appeared before the media and explained the importance of the game for his side, the responsibility and demands of wearing the Barça shirt and the quality of their French opponents.
Flick insisted on the need to follow a plan in the game and that his team be at their best from the first minute until the last. "We’re playing against the best team from last season and it’s a big challenge. PSG are a very strong team. We’re really looking forward to it. I think we need to work on our game plan and what we want to do, like controlling possession and positioning ourselves well. But it won’t be easy, because they’re very good at that too. So from the very first second to the final whistle, we’ll have to play at our highest level. This is the Champions League and there’s no room for making mistakes," explained the coach before adding: "It's not just about playing with the ball but also defending. We need all our players."
Asked the team's goals in the Champions League, the blaugrana coach was clear. "We are Barça and we like being favourites for the Champions League. However, we know there is a lot of work to do and the road is long. We also have fantastic teams in front us, the first coming tomorrow."
The Barça coach also mentioned the demands of the fixture list and the need to manage his squad: "We have to deal with injuries. The schedule is what it is and we know that there are great players who won't be involved in this Barça v PSG. However, both teams can call on some great footballers."