Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has dedicated his team's upcoming Champions League clash against Benfica to club doctor Carles Minarro, who passed away on Saturday. The Catalan side enters the second leg of their last-16 tie with a 1-0 advantage from their victory in Lisbon. However, their LaLiga match against Osasuna was postponed just before kickoff in light of Minarro's sudden death at the age of 53.
Flick described Minarro as an exceptional doctor and a valuable part of the club’s medical team, alongside Ricard Pruna, emphasizing his profound impact on the squad. He acknowledged the emotional challenge but expressed confidence that Minarro’s spirit would be with them as they push for victory.
Barcelona will take the pitch on Tuesday aiming to honor Minarro’s legacy with a strong performance. Minarro had been part of various Barcelona teams since 2017 and only recently joined the first team.
The Blaugrana previously secured a dramatic 5-4 win over Benfica in the group stage and managed another victory last week despite being reduced to ten men following Pau Cubarsi’s red card. Flick underlined the team’s determination to win, stressing that their focus is on advancing while playing in memory of their late doctor.
Despite their lead, Flick warned that Barcelona cannot afford complacency, given Benfica’s strong record away from home in the Champions League. He pointed out the Portuguese side’s victories over Juventus and Atletico Madrid as evidence of their quality.
Aware of Benfica’s resilience, the Barcelona coach urged his players to remain focused and deliver a disciplined performance to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
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