Flick praises Inter's five-man center - Ter Stegen has to wait

At FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick, the focus is solely on the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan. IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

Hansi Flick 's FC Barcelona team once again made waves after a weekend of stunning performances. In a largely breathtaking final, the Catalans beat their arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in extra time and celebrated their second title of the season with the Copa del Rey in hand.

But it won't be the last. In the first leg of the semi-final on Wednesday (9 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) against Inter Milan in the unpopular home Olympic Stadium, Barca want to lay the foundation for reaching the final of the Champions League - which they hope to win thanks to Flick's perfect final record at his old stomping ground in Munich.

The duel with Real Madrid was very special, with many emotions, Flick briefly reflected. But the game is behind us, and the focus is only on the future: "We have the chance to reach the most important final. Everyone has dreamed of it. We are fully focused on Inter," Flick explained. "A win against Real is important for the positive vibes. That can give you a boost."

That will also be necessary against Inter. "They have one of the best defenses in Europe," Flick praised the Nerazzurri, also highlighting the positioning and transitional play with which Inter had caught Flick's former employer Bayern Munich cold in the quarterfinals ( 2-1 , 2-2 ). "They overload the center of midfield with five players and have strong counterattacking skills," the 60-year-old analyzed. However, he has a solution: "We need a good defense, we have to protect important spaces. And it will be important to keep the ball – more possession, fewer mistakes!"

Inter have the mentality to beat us. It's important that we compete at our very best.

Flick doesn't want to be fooled by Inter's recent losing streak, including a goalless loss at Bologna ( 0-1 ), in the cup semifinal against Milan ( 0-3 ), and against AS Roma ( 0-1 ). "A Champions League semifinal is a different situation," the Barca coach knows, adding that everyone gives 100 percent regardless of their recent performances. "Inter has the mentality to beat us," Flick warns. "It's important that we compete at our very best."

Flick, however, was tight-lipped. He couldn't reveal the lineup yet, saying he would have to wait and see how the players recovered after the grueling 120-minute Real Madrid match. The coaching staff has only decided that Wojciech Szczesny will continue in goal in the Champions League. Marc-André ter Stegen, who has been injured for a long time, can hope for a speedy comeback in La Liga.

Flick also remained tight-lipped on another point. Rumors about an early contract extension for the successful coach with the Blaugrana have been circulating for a week, and Barca president Joan Laporta has also hinted in this direction. But there seems to be nothing to announce yet.

"I think I'll coach the team next year. That's how long my contract lasts," Flick replied when asked about the situation. He continued: "I would love to stay here. But the moment isn't right. We're focused on what we want to achieve."

It's not his situation that's the focus now, but the players and their performance in the Champions League. And his team must "show our best version" in both matches against Inter, Flick demanded.