Barcelona coach Hansi Flick pledges to honour Dr. Carles Minarro with a win over Benfica in the Champions League following the club doctor’s sudden death
[dropcap]B[/dropcap]arcelona coach Hansi Flick has vowed that his team will face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday in honour of club doctor Carles Minarro, who tragically passed away on Saturday.
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The Catalan giants hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Lisbon, and the match at the Olympic Stadium will now take on an emotional significance.
Barcelona’s La Liga match against Osasuna, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed just 20 minutes before kick-off following the sudden death of Dr. Minarro, who was 53 years old.
The club’s doctor had been an integral part of Barcelona’s medical team for several years, with his passing leaving a significant void.
“It’s a huge loss. Carles was a really great person but also a great doctor, and the combination of Ricard (Pruna, another club doctor) and him was unbelievable for the club and the team,” Flick said at a news conference on Monday.
Flick paid tribute to Dr. Minarro’s work, stating, *“He was one of the key pieces in our success because they did a great job.
We miss him, but that’s life. I think he will support us from above.”*
The coach also noted that the team is determined to win in Dr. Minarro’s honour, adding, *“The team also wants to play for him.
Now, in this situation, it’s very important that we win, and that is our focus for tomorrow.”*
Dr. Carles Minarro had worked with several Barcelona teams since 2017, and in recent months, he had joined the men’s first team, becoming an essential part of the club’s medical staff.
His passing has cast a shadow over the club, but Flick and the players are committed to paying tribute to him by delivering a strong performance against Benfica.
Barcelona’s recent encounters with Benfica have been intense, with the team securing a 5-4 win in Lisbon during the group stage and another victory last week, despite playing most of the match with 10 men after Pau Cubarsí’s red card.
However, Flick stressed that progression to the quarter-finals was far from assured.
Flick was careful not to underestimate the challenge posed by Benfica, particularly given their impressive away performances in the competition.
The Portuguese side has already beaten Juventus away and secured a dominant victory over Atlético Madrid at home.
“None of us thinks that it’s done, and that’s the important thing,” Flick explained.
“They have performed really well in their away matches in the Champions League, winning several games on the road. So we have to keep that in mind and stay focused.”
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With the first-leg advantage in their favour, Barcelona will be aiming to finish the job on Tuesday and secure their place in the quarter-finals, all while honouring the memory of a key figure in their medical team.
