Ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated La Liga Clasico against fierce rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona’s decisive 4-1 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, according to manager Hansi Flick, was a huge confidence boost.
In their biggest test of the season thus far, former Bayern manager Flick expressed his joy at helping Barca snap an almost ten-year winless streak against the German team and stated his team was prepared to fly to the Spanish capital to play Real.
“It’s unbelievable this win. Bayern are a wonderful team, with fantastic players who know how to play very well, you want to see them play.
“And of course, if you win this kind of game you have to celebrate.
” This win gives us the confidence to believe in our quality for the game coming up on Saturday,” Flick told reporters.
“With the level our team has been showing you can achieve great things.
“We played with a lot of courage and that’s why I’m very happy.
“The team wants to learn and we will learn from the things we didn’t do as well.
“We have one day less than Real Madrid to prepare for the Clasico but all the players want to play this game.
“We will prepare well and be ready.”
Barcelona retaliated with a strong offensive display following six straight losses, including a crushing 8-2 loss in the Champions League quarterfinals four years ago, in which they were outscored 22 goals to four by Bayern.
Raphinha, their Brazilian captain, spearheaded their raucous performance with a hat-trick.
Flick commended his forward’s leadership in addition to another superb performance.
“(Raphinha) is a good example of how a player can impact how a team can function,” Flick said.
“He always has a good attitude in training and in matches.
“He’s very important for us, also because of the counter-attacking pressure he puts on.
“And also because of the way he prepares to score. He has a good dynamic on the ball and he played an extraordinary game.
“His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, is something special.
“I’ve never had a player like him and he helps us a lot.”
