Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that his team will play Tuesday’s Champions League match against Benfica in honor of club doctor Carles Minarro, who tragically passed away on Saturday.

The Catalan giants head into the second leg of their last-16 tie with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Lisbon, aiming to secure a spot in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Stadium.

Barcelona’s La Liga fixture against Osasuna on Saturday was postponed just 20 minutes before kickoff following the shocking news of Minarro’s passing at the age of 53.

“It’s a huge loss,” Flick said during Monday’s press conference. “Carles was not only a great person but also an incredible doctor. The combination of him and Ricard [Pruna] was unbelievable for the club and the team.”

Flick emphasized Minarro’s vital role in the club’s success, adding, “We will miss him, but that’s life. I believe he will support us from above. The team wants to play for him, and in this moment, winning is the most important thing for us.”

Minarro had been part of Barcelona’s medical team since 2017 and only recently joined the first-team setup.

Barcelona has already beaten Benfica twice this season—first with a thrilling 5-4 win in the group stage and again last week despite being reduced to 10 men after Pau Cubarsí’s early red card. However, Flick remains cautious, acknowledging Benfica’s strength on the road.

“None of us think this tie is over,” he warned. “Benfica has won many away matches in the Champions League, including against Juventus. They also dominated Atletico Madrid at home. We need to stay focused and approach this game with the right mindset.”

Barcelona will now look to channel their emotions into a strong performance as they push for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.