It runs round for FC Barcelona. But before the round of 16 of the Champions League against Benfica Lisbon, the club mourns the loss of the team doctor.
When FC Barcelona welcomes the Champions League Benfica Lisbon on Tuesday (6.45 p.m. in the live ticker at Sportschau), then Hansi Flick is not only asked as a trainer-but also as a psychologist.
Team doctor suddenly passed away
The team’s sudden death put the team into a shock state. “This is a very painful news. The players, the staff, the coach, everyone is sad”said club boss Joan Laporta. Due to the death, the league home game against Ca Osasuna was canceled shortly before kick-off on Saturday.
The 50 -year -old doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia died in the afternoon. “He was loved by everyone. He was a great doctor”said Laporta. “I lack the words. I send your family and friends all my strength and support. Quiet in peace. We will miss you very much and always carry you in our hearts, Carles”The currently injured national goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen wrote on the “X” platform. Miñarro leaves his wife and two children.
Against Benfica on course quarter -finals
In terms of sport, things are going very well for the Catalans. After the 1-0 win in the first leg, the team of the former national coach Flick has all the trump cards in his hand. Attacker Raphinha scored the winning goal at Benfica. Barca had played outnumbered for a long time after the early dismissal for defender Pau Cubarsi (22nd minute).
After the heavily developed success there was also a special praise. “I told them all: ‘Chapeau’. I am very proud of the players”said Flick, who meets his team in a possible quarter -finals on Borussia Dortmund or the OSC Lille.
Barca dreams of three titles
In the Champions League, the team has had a strong league aphase – the Flick -Elf sometimes showed spectacular football and scored the most goals by far (28). Barca is the league in the Spanish league and is also in the Spanish trophy in the semi -finals. It is not surprising that Flick is targeting the big three titles like Bayern. “Maybe not everyone would have trusted us at the beginning of the season”he said proudly.
But Flick kissed awake again as the successor to Xavi, the fans dream of triple. “In the league, in the cup and in the Champions League” be it another “further away”but “We are in the situation that everything is still in and we want to play for all titles by the end of the season.”
Pedri and Lewandowski shine
Barca has been since the Christmas break “practically no longer to stop”also cheered the daily newspaper “Mundo Deportivo”. Driven by the midfield strategist Pedri, the team will “better and better”wrote the sheet: “Barca is on the up.” To Pedri Flick said that he was on a “brutal, incredible level.”
This also applies to Robert Lewandowski again. The now 36-year-old experiences his third spring after he had a mediocre quota last year. But the pole is now turning up under the patch. With cross-competition 34 goals, Lewandowski is already playing his best season in the Barca jersey.
Team has to focus on the game
But all of this now takes a back seat – because the whole club mourns. This will also be felt in the stadium. Nevertheless, Barca has to focus on the game and progress. Flick is now also asked: the lead from the first leg, even if it was brought in abroad, is scarce. Laporta sums it up: “We have to be strong at that moment.”