Slavia Prague vs Barcelona: Preparing for a Frigid Champions League Battle

Barcelona’s star-studded squad, featuring offensive powerhouses Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, initially kept a low profile in Prague, shielding themselves from both the public and the biting cold. However, as evening approached, the Catalan giants emerged to train at the Eden Stadium ahead of their crucial Champions League match against Slavia Prague.

“Every match puts us under pressure, we need to play well, but we’ve come here primarily for the win,” declared Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. The team’s adaptation to the challenging conditions was a key focus.

Adapting to the Prague Chill

Players bundled up during training, with Raphinha barely visible behind layers of clothing and Lewandowski sporting a neck warmer pulled high over his nose. Flick acknowledged the cold but remained unfazed. “It’s good that everyone will have to run to stay warm,” he quipped at a press conference. Despite temperatures expected to dip below -5°C during the match, the team wasn’t concerned.

“The cold is here, but it doesn’t bother us. I don’t like the cold, but it’s not an excuse we’ll use,” assured Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde. The club altered its original plans, arriving in Prague earlier than scheduled to acclimatize.

“We decided to adapt to the local conditions, which is why we arrived earlier. We want to prepare as best as possible for the match,” explained Flick. The initial training session involved passing drills and ball control exercises, followed by tactical instructions and a ‘rondo’ – a possession-based training game.

Media Frenzy and Champions League Goals

The Barcelona press conference drew a significantly larger crowd than previous events, including dozens of radio reporters, television commentators, and journalists. The interest in the renowned club was palpable.

Currently leading the Spanish league, Barcelona holds ten points after six Champions League group stage matches, placing them fifteenth. They aim to secure a spot among the top eight teams to avoid the first round of the playoffs. “We want to play the way we know how. I believe in our team to win both matches,” stated Flick.

Barcelona’s schedule includes a home fixture against FC Copenhagen following the Slavia Prague match. Flick spoke highly of Slavia, praising their attacking style. “They are a team that plays openly, bravely, and one-on-one. They have a coach who always wants to attack. This team can be very dangerous. We expect a tough match, but we are well-prepared,” the German coach noted.

Despite a recent defeat against Real Sociedad, ending an eleven-match winning streak, Flick remained optimistic. “But we played well, and we can bounce back from that,” he said. When questioned about Barcelona’s potential to win the Champions League, Flick emphasized ambition and a game-by-game approach.

“Of course, everyone dreams of it. When you play in the Champions League for Barcelona or another big club, your goal is always to win the trophy. I hope everyone here shows what our ambitions are,” Flick encouraged. Balde echoed this sentiment, stating, “Every footballer dreams of winning the Champions League. We are Barcelona, we must fight for all trophies. However, we take it one match at a time, we need to first get into the top eight, then we can think about whether we will win the competition.”

You can find more information about the Champions League on the UEFA official website.