JAKARTA - Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said his team wanted to pay tribute to Carles Minarro in the Champions League against Benfica on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, after the team doctor died suddenly at the weekend.
Minarro, 53, died on Saturday, March 8, 2025, shortly before the La Liga match against Osasuna at the Olympic Lluis Companys Stadium, which caused the postponement of the match.
Barcelona will play their first game since Carles' death on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, when they host Benfica in their second round of the Champions League last 16 with a 1-0 aggregate advantage over the first leg.
"It's a huge loss. Carles is a really great person and a great doctor."
"The combination between him and (doctor) Ricard (Pruna) is extraordinary for the club and is a big part of the team's success."
"We will miss him. I think he will support us from above. We want to play for him. Now the situation is very important for us to win. This is the focus we want."
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"This team is playing well. Now our job is to keep going. It's a very important situation for us, the club, the fans, and we want to play well. It's very important to win," Flick told a news conference on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Minarro joined Barcelona in 2017 and after working primarily with the club's futsal team, joined the first team last summer when Flick was appointed coach.
Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, said his departure had shocked the club with some players working very closely with him.
In Dani Olmo's case, he has known Minarro for years because he has been his personal doctor since 2016 and worked with the Spanish international's father, Miguel.
"Why, Doc? We've shared some of my best experiences in this game. You haven't only been my doctor since 2009, but also doctor Dani and other family members and friends."
"You never say no to anyone. You improve the quality of life of my parents (infinite thanks), my children, my wife, my siblings, friends. Whoever asks."
"You love your job and I know how much it costs you to get to the top, where you are."
"I would really miss the doctor, but more than anything I would miss my friend Carles, who is part of the family we created around Dani."
"It doesn't make sense and it's unfair. So much pain," Miguel, a former player and coach, said in a post on X.
Olmo is expected to be part of the Barcelona team that will face Benfica on Wednesday, early morning WIB.
A goal from Raphinha in Lisbon last week sealed a 1-0 win for the Blaugrana, which played most of the games with 10 players after Pau Cubarsi was sent off.
However, Flick insists his team will not underestimate their advantage.
"I see the team is very focused. Nobody thinks we have lost. This is important. The team knows that the right attitude on the pitch is needed for tomorrow."
"I said after the game in Lisbon, this was just the first game. Benfica is a very good transition team and we have to pay attention to it," said Flick.
The winner of this match will meet Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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