“I really believe it because this team has one more thing” - Ex-Premier League star on why Hansi Flick’s Barcelona can surpass Guardiola’s old team
Former Serbia and Aston Villa forward Savo Milosevic has praised Hansi Flick's Barcelona team. Barca beat Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 6.
Barcelona have been in terrific form this season, scoring 59 goals and conceding only 16 in 15 games across competitions. The Catalan giants have won 13 matches and are currently nine points clear at the top of the LaLiga table, having played a game more than second-placed Real Madrid.
New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who took charge in the summer, appears to have galvanized the team, drawing praise from Partizan boss Milosevic.
“What I saw against Bayern and Real Madrid is a completely new football. Most people say modern, but I don’t like it, this is new worldwide. I have not yet seen such a perfect team technically and tactically that runs so much and with such intensity,” he said (via BarcaBlaugranes).
“This Barça can end up being better than Pep Guardiola’s, I really believe it because this team has one more thing, it runs a lot. This Barça doesn’t want to have the ball for having it, if you leave a gap they will massacre you,” Milosevic added.
For context, Pep Guardiola's team dominated Europe and Spanish football, winning 179 of their 247 games across competitions. His team won three LaLiga titles, two Champions Leagues, two Copas del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups, two European Super Cups, and two World Club Cups between 2008-12.
Hansi Flick praises Barcelona after yet another big win
Barcelona's form in the Champions League continues to soar after a faltering start to their European season. They have now won three on the trot, including a big win against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.
Praising his team's pedigree to win away from home in European games, Flick told Movistar Plus (via Sportstar):
“The most important thing is the three points, it’s not easy to win away from home in this competition, the Champions League is complicated. I’m very happy, I really value what we’re doing. We’ve been very good on the ball and we’ve put a lot of pressure on."
“Red Star played very well, they knew how to play with the ball and it’s difficult to defend against them. I really appreciate my players being focused for 90 minutes because it’s not easy,” he added.
Barcelona will return to league action with an away fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday, November 10.