MADRID — Barcelona requires leaders on the pitch if they are to achieve their coach Hansi Flick’s dream of winning the UEFA Champions League, the German said on Tuesday.
The 61-year-old was speaking a week after his Champions League dream was dashed for a second successive season — this time ousted in the quarterfinals by La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid, AFP reported.
Flick — whose side went out in the semifinals last season to Inter Milan — guided Barcelona to the domestic double last term and his charges are on course for retaining their league title, they are nine points clear of Real Madrid with seven games to play.
“It is not an excuse but in the business end of the campaign in March and April, it is very important to have all the players available,” he said at his press conference on the eve of their league match with Celta Vigo.
“Against Atletico we were missing Frenkie (de Jong) and Raphinha.
“Last year we had Inigo (Martinez), who was a great leader.
“We need these type of players, capable of providing leadership on the pitch, to speak up during matches, in the quarterfinals or semifinals of the Champions League, and to show the way.”
Flick added the team, largely made up of players who came through the club’s youth system, were “young” and must “learn” from each defeat in order to progress.
“I believe we can do it, we have a fantastic team for the years ahead, and one must make the right decisions, notably in the transfer market,” he said.
Flick would not go into any further detail on the type of forward Barcelona will be looking to recruit nor on his future even if he hopes his “contract is extended” in what he repeated would be his “last job”.
