Barca defying expectations with treble fight: Flick

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday that at the start of his reign nobody expected the Catalan giants would be fighting for three trophies in March.

The German coach replaced Xavi Hernandez last summer after a disappointing campaign where Barcelona finished without silverware.

Flick´s side lead La Liga on goal difference ahead of champions Real Madrid, are in the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Atletico and will face Benfica in the Champions League last 16.

It leaves Barca with a packed schedule in the weeks ahead, starting with the visit of Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday, but Flick said he had no complaints.

“The team is doing really great, they are focussed, no excuses, just focus on the next match,” said the coach. “It´s not easy to manage everything, we have to accept it... we´ll give everything.