Hansi Flick has stressed the importance of going into the international break at the top of LaLiga as Barcelona prepare to lock horns with Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Flick and Barcelona aiming to cement top spot against 'excellent' Atletico
Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday, with Hansi Flick aiming to enter the international break on a high.
Barcelona make the trip to the Metropolitano with a two-point buffer over Diego Simeone's side, while Real Madrid are ready to pounce should either team slip up.
The Blaugrana have won their last four away LaLiga games against Atletico and could become the third team in the competition's history to achieve five consecutive victories at the Rojiblancos' home ground, after Athletic Club in 1955 (W5) and Real Madrid in 2013 (W6).
However, Atletico come into the clash having won their last seven LaLiga matches, only managing a longer winning run in January 2025, when they won eight games in a row.
Simeone's side have also won two of their last five games against Barcelona in all competitions (L3), one more victory than they managed in their previous 10 meetings with the Blaugrana (W1 D1 L8), and Flick is expecting another stern test for his players.
"Every game is important. There are three or four excellent teams in LaLiga that are tight in the standings," Flick told reporters.
"It's important to beat Atletico there. We'll give it our all, but there's a long way to go until the end of the season.
"They are a tough team with a fantastic coach. It will be a demanding match. The previous games are in the past.
"The important thing is tomorrow, and we know that they are a fantastic team, and we want and must win to be at the top of the table before the break."
Barcelona arrive in a rich vein of form, having returned to winning ways in the Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Unai Emery's Aston Villa.
Flick's side have scored 46 goals in 11 games in the 2026-27 LaLiga season, with only Athletic in 1930-31 (49) netting more goals after their first 11 matches of a single campaign in the competition's history (Sevilla also scored 46 in 1940-41).
And their form has been spearheaded by Raphinha, who has scored 15 goals in 10 games, becoming only the second player to reach this tally after his first 10 appearances of a campaign in the competition in the 21st century, after Cristiano Ronaldo with Madrid in 2014-15 (18).
The Brazilian put pen to paper on a new contract with Barcelona earlier this week, extending his stay in Spain until at least 2030.
Raphinha has made 190 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 94 goals in total as well as providing 55 assists, with no player recording more goal involvements (149) or chances created (347) for the club in all competitions since his debut.
Only Robert Lewandowski (120) has scored more goals than Raphinha in that time, with only Lamine Yamal (56) bettering his assist tally.
"I think it's the best situation for the club and for Rapha. I'm happy with his renewal, it's important for the future of the club. He's our captain," Flick said of Raphinha.
