Barcelona’s victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid to lift the Copa del Rey at the weekend will serve as added motivation rather than a distraction when they face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday.
The LaLiga leaders secured the first part of a potential treble with a dramatic 3–2 extra-time win on Saturday. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s first-leg clash at home against the Italian side, Flick was asked whether he needed to temper his players’ celebrations.
“No, what I see is that everyone is fully focused on this match. Everyone understands how important it is to reach the Champions League final,” Flick told reporters.
“That win over Real Madrid is also vital for the positive momentum—it can give us an extra push.”
Flick acknowledged the magnitude of the upcoming challenge, noting Inter’s motivation and experience:
“We know we must work hard to reach the final. It’s a dream for all of us to be here, and we must stay focused. Inter have players for whom this might be the last chance to reach a final—they’ll give it everything.”
Following the high-intensity 120 minutes against Real, Flick is monitoring his squad’s fitness closely.
“We’ll assess everything tomorrow. Today isn’t the day to speak about the starting eleven—we’ll see how the players recover and respond in training,” he added.
“Inter also played on Sunday, so they have even less time to recover. But this is a Champions League semi-final, and everyone will want to give their all.”
Flick also confirmed that Wojciech Szczęsny would remain the first-choice goalkeeper for the Champions League, despite the return of Marc-André ter Stegen from long-term injury.
Inter’s hopes of a treble were dashed last week after a Coppa Italia semi-final exit to AC Milan, followed by two straight league defeats that allowed Napoli to move three points clear at the top of Serie A. Despite Inter’s recent form, Flick said he would not alter his approach.
“The Champions League is a major opportunity for Inter too—they’re just two games from the final, as we are,” he said.
“Past results don’t matter. That’s not my concern—I’m focused entirely on my team.”
