Barcelona need to forget about the past when they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League
Hansi Flick's Barcelona is set to face their first real test of the season when they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Catalan side is coming off a convincing 5-1 rout over the weekend against Sevilla but now turn their attention to Europe. This was one match supporters had circled on the calendar for a number of reasons.
The main one being it presents an opportunity for Barcelona to see how they stack up against one of the best teams in Europe. Not to mention the fact the Bavarian side has comprehensively beaten Barcelona in their recent encounters.
"The past doesn't matter," Hansi Flick said in his press conference. "The present is what's important. We can't change what happened in the past. We're focused on doing our best tomorrow. Of course we'll try to beat Bayern."
The last time these two sides met was during Xavi's second season as manager in the group stage. Despite playing well, Barcelona lost the first match in Munich 2-0 and the return leg in Barcelona 3-0.
It's going to be a special match for Flick given he used to be the Bayern manager. In fact, he was at the helm for the infamous 8-2 thrashing Bayern delivered to Barcelona en route to wiinning the Champions League that season.
"We prepare every game the same way. Of course I was at Bayern as a player and a coach and was successful there," Flick said. "I have a lot of acquaintances there, players and management. it was a great time for me. I have nice memories. But now I'm living a new chapter here at Barcelona. I'm very happy here. It's a special game, but it's our obligation to give everything for the fans."
Barcelona are in a great moment with the players having understood rather quickly what Flick wants from them on the pitch. Add in the fact Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Gavi all returned against Sevilla with the last two taking part in the game.
The vibes in Barcelona are positive as a number of players have been playing really well with Raphinha being one of the standouts.
"I started the season with a different mentality, and I knew that playing in this club I would have to adapt to playing in different positions. I am really happy about how things are going," Raphinha said. "If before I was working at 100%, now it's 200%. I want to give my best for the club."
Barcelona cannot think about the past if they want any chance of getting a positive result out of this match. Some of the players may be the same but the mentality and the physical preparation has improved under Flick. In some ways, it's a new team with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Marc Casado and Pau Cubarsi. Yamal and Cubarsi have already demonstrated they don't let these occasions get the best of them.
There is also some added motivation given the last time they played a match with this magnitude in the Champions League was the second match of the quarterfinals against PSG. A game that ended in heartbreak following the red card to Ronald Araujo.
"I ended the game last season against PSG very sad. We were close to going through and that affected me," Raphinha said. "But now, fortunately, we are in the Champions League again, we have new objectives and we have to go step by step.
"We know we have to win as many trophies as we can and we will fight in the Champions League until the end. If it is not this onw, then we will go for the next one. Working as we are, we are closer."
For those players who were around the last time these two sides played one another, if there is any solace to take from those encounters, it's the first one in Germany where, had they been more clinical, could very well have come away with the win.