Laporta targets Barcelona clean sweep with Champions League top priority

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the club have the quality to challenge for every major honour this season, while making clear that winning the Champions League is their leading ambition.

Laporta was speaking at Barcelona’s annual wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to Rafael Casanova, held to mark the National Day of Catalonia.

The president urged caution despite the team’s impressive start under manager Hansi Flick, warning that Barcelona must not allow early success to raise expectations too quickly.

“We must keep our feet on the ground because the season has only just begun,” Laporta said, in comments reported by Sport.

However, he also expressed strong confidence in the squad’s performances and work-rate.

“We hope to continue at this level, with this great commitment,” he said. “To win this year, you have to run. The commitment of the team and the club is a major sign.”

Laporta also praised forward Lamine Yamal for highlighting the importance of running and pressing during matches. He said the 19-year-old’s attitude showed a level of maturity that should help Barcelona maintain their focus.

“What Lamine says at the age of 19 deserves a great deal of credit; his maturity is remarkable,” Laporta said. “He is a clear example of why the team must remain focused and not relax, so that we can fight for everything.”

The Barcelona president believes the optimism surrounding the club is supported by the strength and balance of the squad. He credited sporting director Deco for his work in building the group.

“We have a very competitive and balanced squad, and Deco has done a great job,” Laporta said. “Everyone must be fully focused. We have a lot of quality and can put together two competitive teams, so there is no room for relaxation.”

Laporta then set out Barcelona’s ambitions for the campaign, saying the club expects to compete for every available trophy.

“We are candidates to win titles,” he said. “Our objectives this year are to win the league, the Copa del Rey, the Super Cup and the Champions League. We must always preserve the team spirit, and thinking in this way will lead us to winning titles.”

Barcelona have not won four or more trophies in a single year since 2015, when, under Luis Enrique, they claimed the league, Copa del Rey, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Although Laporta wants success across all competitions, he acknowledged that the Champions League holds particular importance.

“We have a special desire to win the Champions League,” he said.

His comments come after Barcelona’s strong start under Flick increased the club’s belief that they can compete at the highest level both domestically and in Europe. Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015.