“I do think that they are equipped to go all the way” - Thierry Henry names favorites to win Champions League this season
France legend Thierry Henry believes Barcelona can be considered the favorites to win the UEFA Champions League this season. He heaped praise on the team and said that their past disappointments could also help them move further in the competition.
The Blaugrana appointed Hansi Flick as manager in the summer and the team have been exceptional under him. They lost their opening game in the Champions League against AS Monaco away 2-1, but have since beaten Young Boys (5-0 at home), Bayern Munich (4-1 at home), and Crvena zvezda (2-5 away).
After Barcelona's win over Crvena zvezda away on Wednesday, November 6, Henry said on CBS Sports (via SPORTbible):
"Yes, I do think that this team right now, because of the two years that they had playing together and going through a difficult season last year, that's when you learn the most about your character and what you're about to do and how you're going to perform.
"I think this team right now, has to be considered as one of the favourites to win it (Champions League). Are they going to win it? You need to along the way lose a semi-final, to lose a quarter final, to know how hard it is to go out. But I do think that they are equipped to go all the way."
Henry also notably won his only Champions League trophy with Barcelona in the 2008-09 season. The Blaugrana last won the competition in the 2014-15 season.
Thierry Henry credits Xavi Hernandez for Barcelona's prowess after Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade
Barcelona have won 14 of their 16 games across competitions under Hansi Flick this season, losing the other two. They have done so with youngsters coming through their academy like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, and Marc Casado, among others. Hansi Flick has received a lot of praise for his management since taking over.
However, Henry asserted that a big part of the credit must also go to former Barca manager and club legend Xavi Hernandez. The Spaniard, who managed the side between November 2021 and May 2024, gave debuts to the likes of Cubarsi and Yamal.
After Barcelona's 2-5 win over Crvena zvezda on Wednesday, Henry said (via SPORTbible):
"I don’t think Hansi Flick started a new era…Xavi did. He's continuing what Xavi did. Xavi started (Pau) Cubarsi, Xavi started Lamine Yamal, Xavi started a lot of the players there. So, he left, Hansi Flick arrived."
Barcelona currently sit sixth in the Champions League league-stage table with nine points, three points behind leaders Liverpool.