Barcelona may be sitting pretty at the top of the LaLiga table, but manager Hansi Flick isn’t taking anything for granted ahead of Saturday’s away trip to Leganes.
Despite holding a four-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid with just eight games remaining, Flick knows that title-winning form means staying sharp against even the most desperate opponents.
Leganes, currently 18th and fighting for survival with just 28 points, will be no walkover. In fact, Flick’s cautious tone is shaped by more than just table positions. Leganes shocked Barcelona with a 1-0 win at Barça’s home turf in December and have shown a knack for rising to the occasion against top teams—beating Atletico Madrid in January and nearly toppling Real Madrid in a narrow 3-2 loss in March.
“They’re a team that defends very well and they know how to attack deep,” Flick said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“We have to be careful in this match because now we’re first and we have to prove it. They’re also fighting against relegation. It will be a tough game.”
Flick’s comments underline his belief that the real test of champions isn’t just about beating the heavyweights, but showing consistency against teams with everything to fight for.
With just eight games left, every point is crucial—especially when your closest challengers are breathing down your neck.
“When we talk to the staff we consider every game coming up as the most important because we only have eight games left and they are all of great importance,” Flick continued. “We have to focus. It’s important to show our strength for the full 90 minutes.”
Flick has stressed this message to his squad all season long: it’s not about one-off brilliance but sustained intensity. Barcelona’s title hopes hinge not only on their talent but also on their ability to stay switched on through the grind of the final stretch.
“We’re in a process that started at the beginning of the season. We train hard, focused. If you want to be a champion you have to show it. And you show it not only in the big games, but also in games like this one,” Flick concluded.
