Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has said his team will face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday in honour of club doctor Carles Minarro, who passed away on Saturday.
The Catalan giants hold a 1-0 lead in their last-16 tie from the first leg in Lisbon ahead of the clash at the Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona’s La Liga match against Osasuna on Saturday was postponed just 20 minutes before kick-off following the 53-year-old doctor’s death earlier that afternoon.
9News Nigeria reports that Flick told a news conference; “It’s a huge loss. Carles was a really great person but also a great doctor, and the combination of Ricard (Pruna, another club doctor) and him was unbelievable for the club and the team”.
“He was one of the key pieces in our success because they did a great job. We miss him, but that’s life. I think he will support us from above.
“The team also wants to play for him. Now, in this situation, it’s very important that we win, and that is our focus for tomorrow.”
Doctor Minarro had been working with various Barcelona teams since 2017 and joined the men’s first team a few months ago.
Barcelona defeated Benfica 5-4 in Lisbon during the group stage and then secured another victory last week, playing most of the match with 10 men after Pau Cubarsí was sent off.
However, Flick insisted that progression to the quarter-finals was far from guaranteed, highlighting Benfica’s impressive away performances, including victories against Juventus and a dominant win over Atlético Madrid at home.
“None of us thinks that it’s done, and that’s the important thing,” the coach added.
“They have performed really well in their away matches in the Champions League, winning several games on the road. So we have to keep that in mind and stay focused.”
