Flick talks Olmo, Lewandowski, Szczesny, Ter Stegen ahead of Dortmund vs Barcelona | OneFootball

FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is back in his homeland Germany as the Catalans prepare to take on Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.

The Blaugrana hold a huge advantage over the Bundesliga bigwigs after beating them 4-0 in the first leg of the quarter-final tie and will be aiming to finish off the job tomorrow and secure a spot in the semi-final.

Flick, who has now led Barcelona to two wins in two over Dortmund this season, addressed the media ahead of the big UCL match-up at Signal Iduna Park tomorrow.

Addressing the future of the goalkeeping department for the rest of the season – whether Wojciech Szczesny will continue in goal now that Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set to return – Flick was coy, saying:

“Anything can happen in football. I can’t give you a 100% answer.”

On how he and his team will approach tomorrow’s game, having a four-goal cushion from the first leg, the German noted:

“We come from 4-0 down in the first leg, we try to play at our maximum level and I think in matches like these we have to be very focused and play as we know how.”

Continuing, he added: “We are lucky to have the advantage because tomorrow’s game will be very difficult.

“I want my team to enjoy playing against one of the top teams in the whole of Europe. We want to play a good game and we want to maintain the level of the 4-0 first leg.”

Praising veteran striker Robert Lewandowski as he gets set to face his former club on his old stomping grounds, Flick stated:

“It is remarkable to have a player of his level in the team. He is very professional and has a lot of experience.

“We count on him a lot and day by day he shows how he is and has all the parameters that make him a good player. He is a great example for the rest.”

Dani Olmo is back. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Dani Olmo received his medical clearance on Sunday and has been included in the squad list for the Dortmund clash. On whether the Spaniard will play tomorrow, the manager said:

“We’ll see if he can play tomorrow or not and if he can recover for the weekend. He has great quality, but it’s true that we haven’t always been able to count on him because of injuries. Even so, we are very happy to have him back.”

Providing an update on the players’ physical condition and fitness, amidst the loaded fixture schedule, the Barcelona head coach said:

“It’s one thing I’ve already said. We want everyone to be available and I never tire of repeating that these players are fantastic and always want to be there. I want to give them the opportunity to play in a final.”

On Barça fans showing up in large numbers to support the team in Dortmund, the manager stated:

“In December there was also a great turnout. Their support is fantastic and I think our team tries to return the support with performance. The atmosphere between players and fans is very positive.”

When asked to pick the match he was most proud of since joining Barcelona, Flick replied:

“There are so many matches…. Good results always make me happy, but it’s hard for me to choose one. I can’t tell you one.”

Having won the sextuple with Bayern Munich, Flick was asked if he thought it was possible for his Barcelona team to repeat the achievement. In response, he said:

“I always say that. I don’t live in the past and what I won with Bayern, but in the present. Everything that comes is welcome, but that’s the future and we have to focus on the game against Dortmund. We have to focus on tomorrow’s game”.

Finally, on whether he has any fears of a possible comeback from Dortmund and elimination from the Champions League, Flick was unequivocal, saying:

“I have absolute confidence in my team.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo