BARCELONA: Barcelona has the chance to win three trophies this season but manager Hansi Flick said it was too early to think about it after they beat Benfica 3-1 in the Champions League return leg.

Barcelona advanced to the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate after winning 1-0 in the first leg in Lisbon last week.

Barca maintained their brilliant streak with a comfortable win over Benfica to extend their unbeaten streak to 17 matches in all competitions this season.

While Barca also took the lead in La Liga and reached the semi-finals of the King of Spain’s Cup, Flick was reluctant to add pressure to his squad and said it was too early to be thinking about the cup.

“Most importantly, we need to focus on the final quarter and prepare ourselves for the next opponent.

“The Champions League is the most difficult trophy and of course we hope to go on and win it all, but it’s still too early,” said Flick.

Raphinha scored twice and one from Lamine Yamal in the first half for a 4-1 aggregate win over Benfica.

Barca will face either Lille or Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals. The two teams are tied 1-1 from the first leg.

In La Liga, just one point separates Spain’s three giant clubs in the championship race, with Barcelona leading on 57 points.

Real Madrid is in second place, behind only by difference in points while Atletico Madrid is in third place on 56 points. Barca played one match less than the two Madrid clubs.

In the Spanish King’s Cup competition, Barca will travel to Madrid to face Atletico for a semi-final tie after being tied 4-4 in the first leg.

PARIS: Doubts about Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) ability to remain a dominant force in the Champions League following the departure of Kylian Mbappe are beginning to fade amid a stunning performance that has put the French club in perfect position ahead of a blockbuster last-16 clash with Liverpool.

The Qatari-owned club won the French league and cup double and reached the Champions League semi-finals in Luis Enrique’s first season in charge, with Mbappe scoring 44 goals.

With the France captain gone, PSG splashed out on new signings in the summer with the arrivals of Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Willian Pacho and Matvey Safonov.

However, the decision not to recruit a top scorer was seen to be self-defeating as they struggled in Europe while Randal Kolo Muani was ignored.

PSG have found the net just three times in their first five Champions League games this season, as defeats to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich left them on the brink of elimination before the knockout stages.

But their achievements in the last three months have been sensational, with the statistics proving it.

Since losing 1-0 to Bayern on November 26, PSG are unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions.

They have won their last five Champions League matches, scoring 21 goals in that period, including 10 in the second leg against Brest in the play-off round.

The 4-1 home win over Lille last Saturday was their 10th in a row in all competitions and allowed them to maintain their unbeaten domestic record this season.

“We are in great form, all systems are working,” said captain Marquinhos, who has been at the club since 2013.

“We really rely on the collective. It takes a long time. We are progressing step by step. But there are still things we need to improve.”

Ousmane Dembele is now the leader of PSG’s attack, transforming from a dazzling winger but without a good finish, to one of the most clinical strikers.

He has scored 26 goals this season, including 21 in 16 appearances since mid-December while playing mainly through central midfield.

“The team is doing well at the moment,” said Enrique, but he was concerned about Liverpool’s challenge, perhaps the toughest PSG has faced in recent months.

“We will play against the best team in Europe, who are impressively qualified, but it is not in our minds to speculate, to try to protect ourselves, to act defensively,” insisted Enrique.

“We will attack and try to change the game our way.”

MADRID: Kylian Mbappe is fit to start at Real Betis this weekend after being rested in Real Madrid’s recent Copa del Rey match due to dental surgery, manager Carlo Ancelotti said.

The French striker was rested as Real Madrid recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final yesterday.

“But then he was in good shape, he was ready to play, with high spirits.”

Defending La Liga champions Madrid trail leaders Barcelona on goal difference in the title race while Atletico Madrid are just one point behind in third place.

They are scheduled to face a difficult trip to Betis this Sunday before hosting Atletico for the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League next week.

Mbappe has been in fine form in recent months – scoring 14 goals in 12 appearances across all competitions.