Rabat – Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick says his squad has the “hunger” to win the UEFA Champions League as the Catalan club prepares for Tuesday’s league-phase meeting with Galatasaray in Istanbul.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Flick said Barcelona’s strong start to the season has only increased the team’s desire to compete for major trophies.
“We have that hunger, and I share it with the team,” Flick said. “It’s not easy, and we have to work very hard. That’s what we have to do every day. It’s a very long journey.”
The German coach also referred to the significant number of Barcelona players who returned to the club as world champions following Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph.
Eight Barça players, Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal, were part of the Spain squad that defeated Argentina in the final in July.
Flick said he asked those players after their return whether they still had the motivation to continue winning.
“Many of our players won the World Cup,” he said. “When they came back, I asked them if they wanted to keep winning, and they said yes.”
Barcelona target second European win
Barcelona enter Tuesday’s fixture after making an emphatic start to their Champions League campaign.
Flick’s side defeated Feyenoord 5-1 in their opening league-phase match on September 9, while Galatasaray began with a 3-1 defeat away to Sporting CP.
The Catalans have also won all nine of their competitive matches this season, but Flick warned against allowing their early form to reduce their focus.
“It will not be easy. We have to work hard, but it is great to be in this position,” he said.
Flick also pointed to the atmosphere awaiting his players in Istanbul, describing Galatasaray’s home support as one of the most intense in world football.
“I think it’s one of the best atmospheres in world football,” he said. “The noise inside the stadium is incredible.”
Barcelona will face Galatasaray at RAMS Park on Tuesday at 9 p.m. local time, 7 p.m. GMT, in Matchday 2 of the Champions League league phase.
For Flick, however, the objective stretches far beyond maintaining Barcelona’s perfect start: he wants his players to preserve the same ambition throughout a long campaign as they pursue the European title.
