Barcelona not 'wasting energy' on Real Madrid
Hansi Flick is adamant that Barcelona is paying little attention to Real Madrid, instead focusing on its own performances.
Madrid lost 2-0 at home to Celta Vigo, piling the pressure on under-scrutiny coach Xabi Alonso.
Los Blancos are four points behind LaLiga leaders Barca, who beat Real Betis 5-3 on Sunday.
Ahead of the Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, Flick is not paying mind to Madrid's form.
"We're focused on ourselves, not on Real Madrid, we don't want to talk about them," he said. "We're four points ahead, but it's a long road ahead. We have to give our best.
"The most important match now is against Eintracht Frankfurt.
"I didn't see [Madrid's loss to Celta]. I was sleeping. I saw the messages. I'm focused on us; I'm not wasting energy on this.
"I'm focused on my team. That's the most important thing. That's how it is."
Barca has failed to hit form in the Champions League this season, and it sits in 18th place in the standings, with two wins from its five games.
"I believe we never truly finish what we've accomplished; there's always room for improvement," Flick said. "There isn't much time for training, but what I can see is that the players are trying to prove themselves on the pitch. I'm happy with the quality we have, but we always want to improve. We have a lot of potential for growth."
Barca has failed to win either of its two meetings against Eintracht to date, with both of those coming in the Europa League semi-finals in 2021-2022 (drew 1-1 away and lost 2-3 at home).
However, Eintracht was hammered 6-0 by RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga last time out.
Eintracht has already lost away to a Spanish side once in the Champions League this season, suffering a 5-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in September.
Flick will also be able to call on the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the first time this term after the goalkeeper returned from injury, but Barca's boss made it clear that Joan Garcia is his preferred choice in net.
"It's clear, Joan Garcia is number one," he said.



















