UCL: Barcelona looking to book R16 slot against Copenhagen

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his team must be at its “best level” to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League as it prepares to face Copenhagen in the final round of the league phase on Wednesday.

Barcelona enters the match in ninth place with 13 points, tied with seven other clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain. 

With only the top eight earning automatic qualification to the round of 16, Flick acknowledged that both a victory and goals could be decisive, as goal difference is expected to separate teams level on points.

“We are only focusing on ourselves and on what is in our hands,” Flick said Tuesday. “It will be a tough match against Copenhagen, who also have a lot at stake. This is the Champions League, and we’ll have to show our best level.”

Flick said Barcelona must balance attacking ambition with defensive discipline, stressing the importance of respecting Copenhagen’s quality. 

“We’ll need to defend very well, try to keep a clean sheet and score goals to win,” he said, adding that the priority is to perform at the club’s highest standard.

Barcelona arrives in strong form, having won 13 of its last 14 matches in all competitions. 

The club has scored 18 goals in its past six games and has found the net in each of its last 42 European matches, underscoring the confidence Flick says currently surrounds the squad.

The team defeated Slavia Prague 4-2 in their last UEFA Champions League fixture last week.

Meanwhile, Ferran Torres is expected to be available after recovering from a muscle injury, while Pedri remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, and Frenkie de Jong is suspended. 

Copenhagen, unbeaten in its last three Champions League matches, will be led in attack by Jordan Larsson, the son of former Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson, as the Danish side looks to keep its own qualification hopes alive.