FC Barcelona are set to face AS Monaco in their Champions League season opener. Coming on the back of five consecutive victories, the Blaugrana club is in top form and would want to continue on winning ways in their upcoming fixture against Monaco. However, the club needs to be aware of the French club to extract the maximum points from the fixture.
AS Monaco's Captain praises Barca's young sensation before UCL clash
Not to forget, the French giants had gotten the better of the Barcelona squad early this summer, defeating Flick's side 3-0 in the preseason. However, any presumption can't be made regarding the upcoming fixture since the Catalan side, while employing primarily La Masia cadets, was figuring out their options, and this time they are coming on the back of a brilliant winning streak of 5 games.
In the pre-match media address, Monaco Captain Denis Zakaria reflected on the same, saying they need to be strong defensively to keep the Barca lineup in control. Zakaria mentioned,
""Barcelona are in a great moment of form. We have to be very good defensively to cause them problems. The Gamper match has nothing to do with tomorrow's match.""Denis Zakaria
In fact, the Swiss midfielder has been in awe of Barca Boss Flick's tactics this season. The 27-year-old Monaco ace mentioned they need to do much more than they have been doing so far.
Zakaria spoke on his take on the fixture,
""We've started well in the league, but when you play against Barcelona, continuing is not enough. We have to do more.""Denis Zakaria
Further, being a huge fan of Hansi Flick's tactics and Barca's performance so far this season, the Monaco armband holder had special praise for Barca's sensational talent, Lamine Yamal. Speaking of facing the 17-year-old wing star, Zakaria remarked,
""Lamine Yamal is impressive. Not all players at his age are at this level. We'll try to be ready to face his attacks.""Denis Zakaria
Overall, Denis Zakaria has expressed his concern that facing Flick's Barca won't be an easy fixture for them, and it would require significant doing to get past them. As Zakaria acknowledged, considering FC Barcelona's start to the season, the Blaugrana club enters the fixture as the favorites, and they would have significant hopes for themselves to continue winning ways.