rafa yuste of barcelona
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Today is yet another special day for Camp Nou as Champions League football will return to the iconic stadium when Barcelona play host to Eintracht Frankfurt.
It is a must-win game for the Catalans, who are in a precarious position in the Champions League table, especially after a defeat to Chelsea in the last match.
Barcelona, therefore, will have to win their remaining matches in order to stand a chance to finish inside the top eight, starting with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Knowing the implications of the outcome, Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste spoke to the media (h/t Mundo Deportivo) about how important it is to grab three points tonight.
“We can’t afford to slip up today. It’s three points,” he said, highlighting that Barcelona cannot qualify for the top eight without a win.
Yuste, though, has total faith in Hansi Flick and his troops and said the Barcelona team will be more than prepared.
Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona
Yuste has complete faith in Flick’s men. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
“Barça always goes out to win, and that’s what we’re going to try to do. We’re prepared not to fail,” he said.
“We’re feeling better and better, we’ve been getting injured players back, and we have faith in ourselves and are focusing on ourselves, as Flick says, step by step to try and do our best this season,” he added.
There is, however, a little bit of anxiety heading into this game, given that the last time Frankfurt faced Barcelona at Camp Nou, there was an influx of German fans in the stadium.
When asked whether or not we may see a repeat of that Europa League event, Yuste said, “We have taken all the necessary measures, and it is under control.”
Barcelona have indeed gotten much more vigilant this time around, even identifying 100 members reselling tickets illegally.
Finally, Yuste was asked about tomorrow’s clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid, which could prove to be a litmus test for Xabi Alonso. “Pep knows what he has to do,” he concluded.
Ronald Araujo, FC Barcelona player
Ronald Araujo, FC Barcelona player