German coach Hans Flick, the head coach of Barcelona, confirmed that the upcoming match against Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 will be a major challenge, pointing out the strength of the Portuguese team and his great confidence in his players. This was stated during the press conference held on Tuesday evening, where he discussed many tactical aspects and the team's situation before the match.

Flick spoke about the condition of young star Gavi and the possibility of his participation in the match, saying: "He didn't train yesterday because he wasn't feeling well; we'll wait to see what the doctor says and then decide if he will play."

The German coach stressed the importance of considering both the first and second leg matches as a single package, stating: "When you play this type of match, you have to realize that there is also a second leg; we are playing against one of the best teams in the Champions League, they have a distinctive playing style and play with great confidence, and we need to perform better than them."

Regarding the approach Barcelona will take in the match, Flick explained: "Each team has its own style; we have our strategy, and they have theirs. It will be a tough match, and I hope we are more prepared than we were in the previous encounter."

Flick talked about the importance of Polish star Robert Lewandowski in the match but emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying: "It's great for Lewandowski to score many goals, but the most important thing is that we create opportunities for him as a team. Football is a team game, and if we play at the same level we have shown over the past two months, we will be in a good position. The most important thing is to have a strong team, not just one or two standout players."

When asked about the possibility of Neymar returning to Barcelona, Flick replied: "That's not my area; my full focus is on the current team until the end of the season. We have great opportunities, and we don't want to waste them."

Regarding the roles played by Gavi and Dani Olmo, he said: "Gavi is a versatile player; he gives us great defensive options because he loves to press and has high dynamism, and he is also good with the ball. As for Dani Olmo, he enjoys playing in this position and is very good at scoring goals."

Flick praised the talents of La Masia and their impact on the team, saying: "I saw a picture of several young players celebrating, and it was wonderful. These players are very grateful for the opportunity they have received, which reflects the quality of the academy and the training they have received."

Regarding Barcelona's absence from winning the Champions League since 2015, the German coach said: "At this stage, there are no easy matches; we must be at the top of our focus. Benfica is a strong team, and playing at their home ground will be a special experience in a great atmosphere."

When asked about Barcelona's chances of winning the Champions League, Flick confirmed: "The next opponent is Benfica, so they are the toughest competitor for us right now. I don't like to talk about favorites; I only focus on the next match. We must give our best in every match, whether in the Champions League or La Liga."

Regarding his plans for the starting lineup, Flick refused to disclose any details, confirming: "I won't reveal any information about the lineup, especially in the Champions League; I'm sorry about that."

The German coach concluded his remarks by praising Benfica's playing style, saying: "I am very impressed with their style of play; they have a wonderful dynamic with the ball, and it is very difficult to defend against their strategy. We have trained well and hope to be at our best during the match."