Barcelona boss Hansi Flick urges his team to enjoy the Champions League semifinal second leg against Inter Milan. With Lewandowski back on the bench, Barca eyes the final after a thrilling 3-3 first-leg draw. Confidence, titles, and belief fuel the Blaugrana ahead of the San Siro clash.
As the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg approaches, FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is calling on his players to embrace the moment and enjoy their football when they take on Inter Milan at the iconic San Siro Stadium on Wednesday (IST). The first leg in Spain ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, leaving the tie wide open and setting the stage for a high-stakes decider in Italy.
Flick, who took charge of Barcelona this season, has already led the club to two titles – the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana – both secured after impressive victories over arch-rivals Real Madrid. The German tactician believes these experiences have strengthened his squad and will prove valuable in this crucial Champions League encounter.
“We have won two titles so far this season, and every time a player takes part in this kind of match, they improve,” Flick said in his pre-match press conference. “For me, it’s the best way to improve. I always say that the match for the players must be enjoyable. We are in the Champions League semifinals, so we must enjoy it.”
Flick emphasized the importance of team spirit and positive mentality ahead of the showdown. “We have to enjoy playing with each other, to show everyone how good we are. I think the players want that. They love to compete at this level and they never give up,” he added.
Barcelona fans will be pleased to know that star striker Robert Lewandowski has returned to the matchday squad after recovering from a thigh injury. The Polish forward had injured the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg but has made a faster-than-expected recovery.
Before his injury, Lewandowski was in scintillating form. He has scored 40 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions this season — including 25 in La Liga, 11 in the Champions League, three in the Copa del Rey, and one in the Super Cup. His prolific scoring record has made him La Liga’s top scorer and has him tied for third in the Champions League goal rankings.
Despite his return, Flick confirmed that Lewandowski will not start but is available from the bench. “I spoke with him yesterday, everything is going good and he is on the right path, much better than we expected, and he is ready for the bench,” Flick confirmed.
As Barcelona prepare to face Inter in a decisive battle, Flick’s message is clear: enjoy the game, trust the team, and rise to the occasion.
