Barca can 'dream' but must also be realistic, says Flick

Barcelona are back in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for a second time in a row, but have failed to make it into the semi-finals in the past five editions of the tournament as they face off against Borussia Dortmund in their upcoming hurdle.

After years of struggles in European football, the Catalans are among the favourites to lift the trophy on May 31 in Munich after finishing the league phase in second place, cruising past Benfica in the last 16, and also continuing to dominate in La Liga.

But head coach Hansi Flick urged his side to remain humble, insisting that the visitors will be no easy rival. "Everyone wants to advance in the quarter-finals. We want to play well, and it will be difficult because Dortmund are very confident," he told reporters.

"I have always said that we are allowed to dream. But we players and coaches have to be realistic. Dortmund are a very stable team, and they play very attacking football. But we have been playing well at home and away in the Champions League"

Speaking in front of the media on the eve of the game, Flick said he was confident his players would be up to the task of delivering the result. "I have a lot of confidence in the team. We have gotten a lot better, and we're ready," he added.

Flick will be reunited with Dortmund manager Nico Kovac after serving as his assistant during their time at Bayern Munich. "I don't know if it's a good thing that Niko and I know each other so well. It's fine, but Kovac is also a very good coach," he said.