Total euphoria in Barça's locker room at the end of the clash with Benfica that opens the doors to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Hansi Flick was especially happy. The Champions League is also his competition: 24 victories in 28 matches played, a record that is beyond the reach of mere mortals. This is how he expressed himself at the end of the match in front of Movistar's cameras:
-"I'm happy, of course. They played very well."
-"I'm very happy for Lamine Yamal, it had been a while since he scored. He was also happy because it was an important goal for us."
-"We have to look to the quarter-finals. Yes, it's complicated, but the idea is to win the Champions League."
-"I think we respected Benfica a lot. They played very well, did a great job, and it was a difficult match, but I think we did very well."
Pedri, Once Again MVP
Pedri, the MVP of the match, simply added another to the series of excellent matches he has been delivering in recent months.
-"It was a tough match after Saturday's events. First of all, sending strength to Carles's family and friends, and we'll try to win everything for him."
-"I think in the previous match we came out asleep, and in this one, we scored and they scored on us... but well, the team maintained the level of concentration. Flashes from the players we have clarified the result."
-"I've always tried to work on defense. My father used to tell me that if I play an average day, at least work and defend for the team."
-"The MVP could have gone to Raphinha or Lamine, they are spectacular players. Robert who finishes everything... we have dynamite up front that we have to take advantage of."
Raphinha and His Brace
-"We knew Benfica would come quite strong, and we knew what we had to do to win the match. We were focused on this. We had the result in our favor and played a good first half."
-"The most important thing is that we managed to win as a team."
-"Lamine's goal is spectacular. It shows what he is, a player with tremendous quality. We just have to win with him."
-"We are candidates to win everything. What happened a few days ago made us come to this match with more desire to win."
Raphinha's Plea to Hansi Flick
Hansi Flick intended to substitute Raphinha from the 70th minute. His idea was to give him rest for Sunday's LaLiga match against Atlético.
However, the Brazilian forward approached the bench and asked him: "please, don't take me off now." Raphinha is the top scorer of the competition and wanted to enjoy more opportunities to achieve a hat trick.
Flick granted his wishes. It wasn't a matter of spoiling the party on a magical and happy night for Barcelona fans.