Hansi Flick has urged his Barcelona side to focus on the task in hand as they head into their Champions League clash in Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Flick’s men currently sit ninth in the standings, level with three teams above them, as they chase the top-eight place that will secure automatic qualification for the next stage.
And Flick insists that studying the various permutations is irrelevant as his side look to end Copenhagen’s slim hopes of muscling their way into the play-offs with a famous win.
Flick told a press conference: “We are only focusing on ourselves and on what is in our hands. That’s a good way to approach it.
“It will be a tough match against Copenhagen, who also have a lot at stake. We should never make excuses. That’s our philosophy – we have confidence in our style, in how we play, and we will have to show our best level.”
Barcelona go into the game on a high after sweeping aside bottom club Real Oviedo at the weekend to move back to the top of LaLiga.
Meanwhile, Flick has received good news on the injury front with midfielder Ferran Torres set to return faster than expected from a minor hamstring injury.
Flick added: “We are in a good moment and I like that because it gives me confidence in the team. But we have to take it step by step, we have to play this match respecting Copenhagen.
“We have a good squad, also on the bench, and we have to play as a team. The match is very important for us and we’ll have to show that. That’s what I want to see.”
Gavi, Pedri and Andreas Christensen are all ruled out through injury on Wednesday night, while Frenkie de Jong is also absent due to the yellow card he received in Barcelona’s last Champions League game against Slavia Prague.
On Torres’ prospective comeback, Flick added: “It looks good and he’s ready. I’m very happy that he’s recovered so quickly.”
