Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has played down talk of his side lifting the Champions League trophy this year, insisting he is only focused on winning Tuesday's clash at Benfica.
Flick heaped praise on Liverpool, who are top of the Champions League table with a perfect 18 points, three ahead of second-placed Barca, followed by six teams on 13 points.
The top eight qualify automatically for the round of 16, and the next 16 teams meet in two-legged playoffs for the right to join them. Benfica are currently 15th with 10 points.
"The future will tell whether we are among the favourites or not," Flick told a press conference on Monday. "The Champions League is one of the most difficult competitions to win, but we have to try.
"When I look at Liverpool, I see a team with incredible power. They are one of my favourite teams in the world right now.
"We are doing well, but there are very good teams that are also doing well, and we are contending on three fronts [Champions League, LaLiga and Copa del Rey].
"Benfica are a team that plays very well. It's a pleasure to see how they build. Angel Di Maria is one of my favourite players. Let's see how we do tomorrow."
Despite Barcelona's Champions League form and place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals after a 5-1 thrashing of Real Betis last week, they are off the pace in LaLiga.
Their last league success was a 5-1 victory away to Mallorca in early December, and they are now on a four-game winless streak following a 1-1 draw at lowly Getafe on Saturday.
Third-placed Barca have 39 points from 20 games and trail leaders Real Madrid by seven points, and Atletico Madrid by five.
Nevertheless, Flick is happy with his side's LaLiga performances and is looking forward to playing at Estadio da Luz, where he won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020.
"I have great memories of this stadium," Flick said. "If you look at the LaLiga results, we are not doing a good job. But if you look at our games, we are playing very well.
"Despite the results, I would say that the team is playing great and working very focused. As I said in Getafe, it's my first season here and in LaLiga. I had no experience and I didn't know how the opposition were going to play.
"Our goal is to win against Benfica. It would be a big step for us, and we want to do it. In the position we're in, being second, it's important to secure these points.
"There are a lot of games left between now and the end of the season, and we could save two games if we avoid the playoffs by finishing in the top eight."
Miraedegba
0
u hv no football knowledge soon u will get the knowledge to see balde is worst than old alba same way u noticed late that lewy is finished while I kept saying it soon u will l notice balde flop too
what's your problem with Balde? he's doing well seeing as he's the only one in the left flank.... he doesn't get much support like the way Lamine supports kounde
/MADRIDISTA
0
shut your mouth and pray we don't meet anytime soon
3rd in la liga ๐คฃ useless club ๐คฃ
Miraedegba
0
Best team in the world is 3rd in la liga ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
shut your mouth and pray we don't meet anytime soon
/MADRIDISTA
0
We have the best team in the world right now, our defense line are very good, midfielders are very quick in decision making while our attacking trio are not lacking behind. If you want to argue mention the best attacking trio thatโs ahead of Barcelona. Laliga clubs knows how to deal with Barcelona because they always PARK THE BUS is not easy to beat them while they play all defense and launch counter attack with speedy players and weโre very poor in playing counter attack also, weโre always attacking against 11 players. But I trust my team in the champions league more than Laliga because most team in champions league will like to attack Barca and the more they attack us the more we have more chances to win the match. Madrid, Bayern and dortmund are good examples
Best team in the world is 3rd in la liga ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Annieboi
0
u hv no football knowledge soon u will get the knowledge to see balde is worst than old alba same way u noticed late that lewy is finished while I kept saying it soon u will l notice balde flop too
List players that are better than him, remember he is playing 2 position at a time at his age. Abidal, dest and andriano whoโs better than this boy in the list. Remember at his age and giving 5 assist with 1 goal so far this season
Annieboi
2
We have the best team in the world right now, our defense line are very good, midfielders are very quick in decision making while our attacking trio are not lacking behind. If you want to argue mention the best attacking trio thatโs ahead of Barcelona. Laliga clubs knows how to deal with Barcelona because they always PARK THE BUS is not easy to beat them while they play all defense and launch counter attack with speedy players and weโre very poor in playing counter attack also, weโre always attacking against 11 players. But I trust my team in the champions league more than Laliga because most team in champions league will like to attack Barca and the more they attack us the more we have more chances to win the match. Madrid, Bayern and dortmund are good examples
Zazaclmps
1
Rafinha said the only team that can try to stop Barcelona is Manchester City.... no team in this world can try
MarioSubze69
0
Balde is a better player, lewy is just old and has tried for club and country he needs rest
u hv no football knowledge soon u will get the knowledge to see balde is worst than old alba same way u noticed late that lewy is finished while I kept saying it soon u will l notice balde flop too
Annieboi
0
if you like start stagnant lewy and lord balde against benfica
Balde is a better player, lewy is just old and has tried for club and country he needs rest
MarioSubze69
0
if you like start stagnant lewy and lord balde against benfica
olusoji15
0
yea sure my coach let's go for the 3 points boys .
Balogun_R_Ayo
2
Visca Barca ๐๐ช๐ช U guys should keep doing the best ๐ช
Hritangshu93
0
That's the attitude..... don't predict and get humiliated..... instead do your job silently.....the rest will be up for everyone to see
TAkA-tiki
1
Visca Barca ๐ช๐พ๐ช๐พ Benfica ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ
Maucdlorst
1
very soon the music will change
for madrid hell yeah ๐
Maxikay
2
We hope the best for you. Boss Flick โ๏ธ๐๐ฏ
Doecimnopz
2
sir please I love Barcelona please Barcelona try your best tomorrow please
Pumaknrtu
1
very soon the music will change
Lennor225
0
Visca Barรงa
Ramabikosu
1
thanks ๐
citadklst
1
well noted
easy1996
5
I love that word, all we are after is to win against great team like Benfica
certified5
3
I love this coach