Hansi Flick affirms Barcelona will be his final club as he approaches a contract extension with the Spanish powerhouse. Newly re-elected president Joan Laporta confirms the 61-year-old German’s deal renews soon, ahead of Barcelona’s pivotal Champions League last-16 second-leg against Newcastle United.
Flick Prioritizes Crunch Tie
Flick keeps his focus on advancing to the quarter-finals. During the pre-match press conference, he states: “This isn’t the time to talk about elections or anything else. We’ve got a huge game tomorrow. Everyone knows I’m happy here, but I also need to talk with my family. There will be time for that. I love working here. I’ve got a fantastic family and great support in Barcelona. In football, I always aim for the highest level. I’m not thinking about leaving. Barca will be my last club.”
His emphasis on the upcoming match makes sense after Barcelona’s narrow escape in the first leg at St James’ Park. Lamine Yamal’s stoppage-time penalty secured a 1-1 draw, denying Newcastle a lead from Harvey Barnes’ earlier goal despite their strong performance.
Challenging Newcastle Rivalry
Barcelona previously defeated Eddie Howe’s side 2-1 in the group stage on Tyneside in September. Flick anticipates a tough battle, noting: “They press high, they’re very quick and they defend well. It will be a tough, very physical match. We’ll need to be close to perfect. The squad is highly motivated. The Champions League is special. Everyone wants to play in it, and it drives you on. We have to stay positive and believe. We’re capable of winning this competition, but we need to improve and get every player performing at their best.”
Young Defender’s Confidence
Nineteen-year-old center-back Pau Cubarsi shone in the first leg and expects Barcelona to dominate at home, where they boast a perfect 12-win record since the stadium’s redevelopment. He assesses Newcastle: “Their intensity on the pitch is incredible. We knew what we were up against in the first leg. Defensively we were very solid, but going forward we lacked a bit of tempo. They’ve got a lot of quality, but we’re focused on ourselves and what we can improve.”
