Barcelona's Contender Status Still in Question Despite Bayern Munich Romp: Hansi Flick

BARCELONA – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick remained cautious despite his team's impressive 4-1 victory over six-time winners Bayern Munich on Oct 23, stating that it was premature to consider them as potential contenders to win the Champions League.

The Catalans last won the trophy in 2015 and had lost their prior six matches against Bayern, but they crushed last season’s semi-finalists at the Olympic stadium with Raphinha scoring a hat-trick.

“It’s too soon (to say we’re contenders), we just started the season, we’re on a long road in La Liga and the Champions League,” Flick told reporters.

“We’re aiming to go game by game and we’re preparing ourselves like that.”

La Liga leaders Barcelona face Spanish and European champions Real Madrid on Oct 26 in a mouthwatering Clasico battle in the league, which will be another key test for Flick’s side.

“We’re obviously very proud of the result tonight but on Saturday it continues, another hard game against a team with a name that everybody knows,” the German added.

“We want to put on another great performance... with a result like this, the team deserved it and also their celebration after the game.”

Raphinha opened the scoring inside the first minute and after Harry Kane equalised for Bayern, Robert Lewandowski put Barca back ahead.

Two more strikes by former Leeds United winger Raphinha, on his 100th appearance for the club, sealed the Spanish giants’ emphatic victory.

“Raphinha is for me a very good example of how the team works, Raphinha is someone who always gives everything in training and in games too, he plays with a lot of intensity,” said Flick.

“He’s very important for us, he presses, and today we saw too he scores goals... he’s got a good dynamic with the ball and today had an excellent game.

“He’s a player who is both defensive and attacking, with intensity, dynamism and technique.”

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, said his team paid the price for missed opportunities after they suffered their second consecutive defeat in the competition.