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Earlier today, the draw for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages was held and Barcelona learnt of their opponents in the coming rounds.
Luckily for them, the Catalans avoided facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 and will play against Newcastle United over two legs for a place in the quarterfinals.
Moving on, they are likely to face one of Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur in the quarterfinal and Arsenal in the semifinal – all through a draw that came through the hand of Ivan Rakitic, a Barcelona legend himself.
Rakitic speaks on the draw
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the former Barcelona player opened up on the draw and how it has shaped up for his former club. He began by explaining how he felt they were favourites to advance given the circumstances.
“I follow Barça a lot. It’s going to be an interesting playoff. Barça is the favourite, but Newcastle has shown that it has many arguments to pass. It will be a very tough game.”
“In general, this Champions League is quite dominated by English teams, so you will have to prepare well. I hope Barça can pass,” he added.
He was then asked what Barcelona’s chances of winning the UEFA Champions League this year were, to which he said,
“I don’t know. I think that in the end, everything starts with yourself. When I was playing the Champions League I wanted to face the best. I always lived the draw with tranquility and confidence.”
“If it wasn’t my turn now, I expected it to be my turn later, because what I wanted was to win it. I didn’t just want to compete and be there. Then, if someone is a little happier for the rival, it may be, but in the end, this is football,” he added.
Barcelona face Newcastle in the Round of 16. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
He then spoke on the heartbreak for Barcelona last season and how it was definitely not an easy period for the Catalans given how they were playing.
“Last season we all expected Barça to be in the final and for small details it escaped. So you don’t have to wear yourself out too much thinking about what you’ve touched now, but prepare yourself well, do your best, and go round by round.”
Rakitic then gave his verdict on Barcelona’s chances this season to take the trophy home and how Hansi Flick’s team were strong contenders.
“I hope. Last year was already very close and we hope they can be in the grand final. But now we don’t have to talk about the final or think about it, but prepare well for the battle against Newcastle. This is step by step.”
“The great players know that now the beautiful and the important begin. They will prepare down to the last detail, and they will take care of everything to be at the highest level. I hope they get it,” he added.
The Croatian legend then gave his honest verdict on Hansi Flick as a manager and the team he has built in Catalonia over the past year and a half.
“I like him very much. The only thing I don’t like is the pressure we put on young people. They have a lot ahead of them. It is true that to take Barça to the big titles sometimes that little detail is missing, as we saw last year, but they are prepared.”
“They are one of the clear favourites and continue to grow. I trust Hansi and his coaching staff a lot, I also know them well and I have a former teammate there,” he added.
“From the outside, we trust a lot. The pressure, if anything, is assumed by most veterans. Young people must continue to grow for Barça to win again not only this year, but many more titles,” he concluded on the topic.
Rakitic hopes Barcelona can go all the way in Europe. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
While Barcelona have not done great in the UEFA Champions League in recent years, it is clear that the pressure is always on them, and Rakitic opened up on how that was a perennial reality.
“We are in Barça. If we had won it last year, the pressure this year would be the same. Barça always wants and has to win. It’s a constant circle: even if you win everything, the following year you have to earn everything again.”
“Many players are from the academy and know how it works. You don’t have to explain anything to them. Those who have arrived also know it perfectly. So a lot of confidence, without fear, but with the responsibility that being in Barça implies,” he added.
Finally, Rakitic spoke on how the team’s fitness will be crucial for the team going ahead this season, and the players who will be the most decisive for the team’s success.
“I hope no one gets injured, that’s the first thing. But it is clear that Barça depends a lot on Pedri and other differential players such as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.”
“They are the ones who make the difference not only because of their game, but because the team with them is different. When one is missing, in addition to quality, experience is lost,” he added.
Finally, he spoke on the atmosphere behind the scenes and how the team has a good sense of unity.
“But I really like the atmosphere they have between them. You can bring the best players together, but if there is no healthy environment, you can’t achieve anything important.”
“And you can tell that there is a good group and that is the first step to achieve great things,” he added.
Source: Mundo Deportivo