Caroline Graham Hansen warned Barcelona that "nobody's going to give anything away for free" in the Women's Champions League, as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Barcelona will face off with their Clasico rivals in the first leg of their last-eight tie at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Wednesday, looking to take an advantage into the reverse fixture at home.
The three-time champions are unbeaten in the competition so far this season, dropping points in just one of their six league-phase games (a 1-1 draw with Chelsea), and winning the other five.
They won back-to-back titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24, but were beaten finalists last year against Arsenal, and they are determined to improve on that result this time around.
Barca have progressed from each of their quarter-final ties in the Champions League across the last seven seasons, since losing to Lyon in 2017-18.
They have also won 21 of their 22 all-time meetings across all competitions with Madrid (L1) and have won each of their eight away Clasico matches by an aggregate score of 30-2.
And Graham Hansen is relishing the chance to get back out on the European stage, highlighting the importance of not getting complacent.
"Every season you go into this competition wanting to win it, because it's the biggest club competition and you play against the best players and the best teams during the season," she told UEFA.
"Now we go into the quarter-finals, these are the big games, and there are a lot of people coming to watch our games, even more so now. We're just really looking forward to getting going again.
"You know it's going to be competitive; nobody's going to give anything away for free. So, you have to be at your best in your head and be able to control your emotions between wanting to win and being ready, so you don't get overemotional.
"That motivates you to put on a great show and try to make sure that your team wins."
This will be Madrid's third appearance at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, losing both legs to Barcelona in 2021-22 and 3-2 on aggregate to Arsenal last season, despite winning the first leg 2-0.
Las Blancas have won three of their last four knockout stage matches in the competition (L1).
Their only loss in the Champions League so far this season was away to Arsenal, but they won both legs of their round-of-16 tie with Paris FC, winning 5-2 on aggregate.
Head coach Pau Quesada pointed to his side's good form in the tournament so far and challenged them to push even harder to reach a first semi-final.
"We need to demand a bit more of ourselves," he said.
"In attack, we have to keep taking steps forward and control the game more, be more effective in the final third, and have more clarity. We're very well prepared for this tie.
"We've only lost one match in Europe. This team is good enough to be in the last eight, and why not the last four?"
OusmanDavie
0
thats what we need CGH10