Barcelona travel to Paris for a contest between two teams who have made strong starts to the league phase. Flick expects a demanding evening against a PSG side he considers among the best in Europe, but wants his players to approach the match with confidence and courage.
“Luis Enrique has won two Champions Leagues in a row, and his team have played fantastic football. He’s an excellent coach, one of the best,” Flick said.
“I like the dynamics and intensity of his team, the way they take risks and play. They’re a very flexible team, and he has done a very good job.”
The Barcelona coach rejected the idea that the fixture should be considered an early final, although he acknowledged its importance as a test of the club’s ambitions.
“It’s a test tomorrow. We’re playing against one of the best teams, if not the best. It will be an opportunity to show our level and how far we can go. After this match, we’ll know a lot more.”
Flick believes PSG’s development over recent seasons has made them more mature and better equipped to recover from difficult situations. He pointed to their ability to change games quickly, as well as the quality available from the bench.
“The difference between PSG and Barcelona is a question of maturity. They’ve matured as a team over the last few years, and what they’ve achieved is important and impressive. In their last match, they changed the result in a matter of minutes. That’s the quality they have, and they also have fantastic players on the bench.”
Barcelona must also manage a defensive injury situation, but Flick remained confident that his squad could cope. He confirmed that Raphinha would be in the starting line-up, giving the team another important attacking option for a match likely to demand intensity without the ball as well as precision in possession.
“Yes, he will be in the starting eleven,” Flick said of the Brazilian.
The coach expects midfield control to be central to the outcome. Both teams have players capable of dictating possession, but he warned that Barcelona cannot afford careless turnovers against a PSG side dangerous in transition.
“If you have possession, the opponent can’t score. But it’s important not to make mistakes. PSG are very precise. We have to play with great concentration.”
Flick also defended Barcelona’s high defensive line, acknowledging the risk involved while stressing that the team must press aggressively when possession is lost. Although clean sheets have been limited, he believes the side’s commitment and attacking output demonstrate the approach can work.
The German said his players were looking forward to the challenge and insisted the next match always takes priority, even with El Clásico against Real Madrid approaching.
“We’re ready,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to show how good we are.”