Flick takes cheeky swipe at Real Madrid ahead of Copa showdown with Atlético
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick couldn't resist a dig at Los Blancos when questioned about Barça's 'easy' Copa del Rey path to the semi-finals against Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has shown he’s got the Spanish football banter down to a tee as he prepares his side for their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atlético Madrid.
The German gaffer couldn’t resist having a proper dig at Real Madrid when journalists questioned Barcelona’s supposedly easier path to the semis, after eliminating lower-league sides Guadalajara, Racing and Albacete.
When asked about facing supposedly weaker opposition in the cup, Flick delivered the zinger of the press conference: “Ask Real Madrid about that.” A not-so-subtle reminder that Los Blancos were knocked out by Albacete - one of the very teams Barça managed to overcome.
Injury concerns mounting
It’s not all laughs and jokes in the Barça camp though, with Flick confirming they’ve got a few problems in the squad:
- Rashford will be unavailable for the crucial first leg
- Raphinha is being carefully managed and may not be at 100%
- Flick emphasized they need to be cautious with players showing any signs of discomfort
“In complicated situations, we grow stronger,” insisted Flick, showing the kind of bottle his team will need at the Metropolitano.
High praise for Simeone’s Atlético
Far from taking their opponents lightly, Flick was full of admiration for Diego Simeone’s side:
- He specifically mentioned being impressed by Atlético’s performance against Betis in the Copa
- Called them a “fantastic team” with a “very clear philosophy”
- Acknowledged the challenge of defending against their style of play
“Simeone is doing a great job,” Flick noted, clearly aware that tomorrow’s match will be proper naughty in terms of difficulty.
Support for Araujo
Flick also addressed the recent revelations from defender Ronald Araujo, who opened up about personal struggles:
“When he says he was in this situation for a year and a half, perhaps we are also responsible. We must care for all players. Surely, there are things that haven’t been done well.”
It was a touching moment of self-reflection from the Barcelona boss, who’s clearly trying to create a proper family atmosphere at the club.
Lamine Yamal’s development
On a brighter note, Flick couldn’t hide his delight with wonderkid Lamine Yamal:
“He manages situations well and can be decisive on the pitch. He has everything football lovers appreciate - dribbling, one-on-ones… For me, the most important thing is his hunger to improve.”
With Barcelona looking to secure a spot in the Copa final, Flick knows this two-legged tie against Atlético will be a proper test of their credentials. The German’s confidence suggests he believes his Barcelona side have the minerals to get the job done over 180 minutes.