Hansi Flick has warned Barcelona that Newcastle United pose a serious threat to their UEFA Champions League ambitions, describing the English top flight as “the best league in the world.”
Barcelona travel to St James’ Park for Tuesday’s Round of 16 first-leg clash as favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
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The Spanish giants, five-time European champions, currently sit top of La Liga and boast a star-studded squad.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are struggling domestically and sit 12th in the Premier League while also chasing a historic run in Europe’s elite competition.
Despite the contrast in league form, Flick believes Newcastle’s quality and the overall strength of the Premier League make them a dangerous opponent.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the German coach highlighted the number of English clubs still competing in the Champions League.
“The Premier League is a great league; for me, it’s the best league in the world, and they have strong teams,” Flick said.”
Flick also pointed to Newcastle’s speed and attacking quality as factors Barcelona must manage carefully.
“The Champions League is different. Everyone who plays at this stage wants to show their best,” he added.
“They are a team which, on transition, have very fast players and very good players, outstanding players, and we have to handle that and manage it.”
Despite the challenge, Flick insisted Barcelona will remain faithful to their traditional attacking style.
“We have to continue our way, our style, how we want to play. This is our philosophy,” he said.
“We want to play like Barca also here in the Champions League because our supporters are proud of us and the way we play football.”
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