Hansi Flick is targeting another century of games in charge of Barcelona as he prepares to oversee his 100th game for the club against Villarreal in LaLiga on Saturday.

Flick replaced former Barcelona midfielder Xavi in May 2024, becoming only the third German to manage the club in their history, after Hennes Weisweiler and Udo Lattek. 

The 61-year-old oversaw a dream debut campaign, leading the Blaugrana to the LaLiga, Supercopa de Espana and Copa del Rey titles in 2024-25.

Flick has won 74 of his 99 matches in all competitions at the helm (D9 L16). Should Barcelona win this weekend, he will become the manager with the second-most victories after his first century of matches in charge of the Catalan side, only behind Luis Enrique (80).

"It's a great honour to achieve this number of matches. It was a dream to coach here, and I enjoy myself every day, with the players, the fans," he told reporters.

"Why not be here for another 100 games? I enjoy every day here. The weather is fantastic. I love my job. It's an honour. And everyone should be proud of the team."

But on the field, Flick is expecting a stern test against Villarreal, who sit 10 points behind them in LaLiga and aiming to seal a spot in the Champions League for next season. 

Indeed, Villarreal boss Marcelino has won two of his last four league games against Barcelona (L2), after failing to win any of his first 20 encounters in the competition (D7 L13).  

Barcelona are the opponent against whom he has the lowest win rate in LaLiga (8.3% - G24 W2 D7 L15), and the Blaugrana will be confident after returning to winning ways. 

Barcelona regained top spot last weekend following a comfortable 3-0 win over Levante last time out, having seen Real Madrid fall to a shock loss at Osasuna a day earlier. 

"If you are winning, it is one game less. For me, the important thing is that we do our job," Flick explained. "We remember the last game in Villarreal, it was a lucky victory.

"We must not make unnecessary mistakes and play our style. We can improve, and we have to do it. We have to win, win, and win."

Flick was also asked about Barcelona's Champions League last 16 opponents, with the draw for the next round of UEFA's flagship competition taking place on Friday. 

The 2015 winners were drawn against Newcastle United, in what is a repeat of their first league phase match of the 2025-26 edition, with Marcus Rashford's brilliant brace helping Barcelona on their way to a 2-1 victory at St. James' Park. 

"All games are important. I don't celebrate not facing PSG, you have to respect the opponent," Flick insisted. 

"Everyone wants to reach the final and Newcastle also want to win the Champions League. All opponents are difficult. It won't be easy. You have to play at the highest level.

"Playing against Atletico or Tottenham if we pass is also very difficult. It's fantastic to have this opportunity, but we strictly respect all our rivals."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Barcelona – Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski has only scored once in his last six top-flight matches, and he comes up against a side that he used to give nightmares at the start of his Barcelona career. 

After being involved in seven goals in his first five LaLiga games against Villarreal (five goals and two assists), including two braces, Lewandowski has neither scored nor assisted in either of his last two appearances against them in the competition.

Villarreal – Ayoze Perez

Since joining Villarreal, Ayoze Perez has scored in two of his three LaLiga games against Barcelona, and the Spaniard will be out to continue his fine form against the Blaugrana. 

He netted one goal in September 2024 at Estadio de la Ceramica and another in May 2025 at the Olimpic Lluis Companys.

MATCH PREDICTION: BARCELONA WIN

Despite being favoured by the Opta supercomputer, Barcelona have lost two of their last four LaLiga matches against Villarreal (W2), twice as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 29 encounters against them in the competition (W22 D6 L1).

In addition, the Blaugrana have lost three of their last four league matches against Villarreal (W1), including the last two, making them the opponent against whom they have suffered the most home defeats in the competition since 2021-22 (three).

However, they have been imperious at Camp Nou of late. Only Pep Guardiola (15 between October 2010 and May 2011) and Ernesto Valverde (14 between February and December 2019) have managed a longer run of consecutive home wins in LaLiga than Flick has for Barcelona in the 21st century (12, level with Luis Enrique). 

But they come up against a Villarreal side who have won their last two away games against Barcelona in LaLiga and could become only the third side in the competition's history to achieve three consecutive away victories against them, after Espanyol in 1942 (W3) and Real Madrid in 1965 (W3).

Marcelino's side also have 51 points in LaLiga 2025-26 (W16 D3 L6). Assuming three points for a win, on the 16 occasions when a team has reached exactly 51 points after their first 25 matches in LaLiga, they have finished the competition in the top four.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Barcelona – 68.4%

Draw – 17.4%

Villarreal – 14.2%