Barcelona shall be aiming to take a step in the direction of securing their second trophy of the season once they tackle Atletico Madrid on Tuesday within the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
The Blaugrana, having already received the Spanish Tremendous Cup in Hansi Flick’s debut season on the membership, shall be keen so as to add extra silverware by lifting the Copa del Rey.
For that to occur, they need to first have to get previous Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who’ve already overwhelmed them as soon as this season in La Liga.
Forward of the primary leg tomorrow at Montjuic, Flick addressed the media, offering an replace on Lamine Yamal’s health and discussing a number of different issues.
For starters, the German tactician touched upon tomorrow’s contest towards Atletico Madrid, saying:
“It’s a brand new recreation, we’re beginning once more from scratch. They’re a terrific group, they’ve invested so much, they’ve one of the best defence and in assault, unbelievable gamers. Will probably be a troublesome recreation.”
The Barcelona head coach then expressed cautious optimism when requested about Lamine Yamal’s availability after he missed coaching right now.
“Now we have to attend and consider. I feel he’ll be capable of play, I’ve optimistic emotions,” he mentioned.
The Barcelona supervisor then commented on the fixture schedule forward for Barcelona as they tackle Atletico tomorrow earlier than going through Actual Sociedad on the weekend, following which they face Benfica within the Champions League.
“‘From what I’ve heard, I don’t know if I’m positive, Benfica’s recreation has been rescheduled and can have per week to arrange for the sport,” he famous.
“La Liga might change the calendar, however it’s not in our palms. In Germany you possibly can discuss to the federation, right here too, I hope it may be improved for the longer term.”
With the refereeing in La Liga being the most well liked subject in Spain in the intervening time, Flick gave his opinion on whether or not match officers ought to concentrate on defending gamers like Lamine Yamal, who was on the receiving finish of a brutal problem towards Las Palmas.
“I wouldn’t say that referees ought to shield one participant particularly, everybody. The VAR ought to take a look at laborious tackles to indicate reds to keep away from these actions. Now we have to guard the gamers if there’s a foul,” Flick mentioned.
“It additionally occurred to us with Dani and Casado. There ought to be extra sensitivity about this. In the event that they see a yellow card, the defenders may assume extra about it earlier than making one other foul,” he added.
“In Spain, one-on-one soccer may be very well-liked, it’s a particular attribute, additionally in Barcelona, the followers prefer it so much and we should handle it.”
The Barcelona supervisor additionally confirmed that Dani Olmo is able to begin after his match-winning second-half show towards Las Palmas, saying:
“I feel sure, he is able to be a starter and play 90 minutes. For me, a very powerful factor is that he can begin from the start, we now have to take care of him and that’s what we’ve been doing. The objective he scored towards Las Palmas was essential.”
Prepared to begin, says Flick. (Picture by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Pictures)
Relating to La Liga president Javier Tebas’ feedback about how Olmo shouldn’t be allowed to complete the season with Barcelona, he mentioned:
“I don’t need to make any statements about it. He can play now and that’s what counts. The present scenario is that this, I’m very comfortable that he can play. We’ll see what occurs, I’m at all times stunned by among the issues that occur in Spain and in relation to Barça.”
On who amongst Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado will begin within the second midfield pivot place, Flick acknowledged:
“On this place, we now have excellent high quality. Right this moment, they’re all at an excellent stage. They will deliver us various things. Now we have to determine what’s going to work greatest for us, however we are going to do it tomorrow.”
On the upcoming matches, which might make or break Barça’s season, he remarked: “It’s at all times like that. You guys in all probability know extra concerning the season than I do. We go all out in each recreation.
“Tomorrow’s recreation is a very powerful and we need to present what we’re able to. The angle and the environment are very exceptional and excellent.”
Relating to the Atletico Madrid semi-final first leg being at residence and the second being away, he famous:
“I don’t take into consideration these conditions. We need to win each recreation, I don’t care if it’s at residence or away. We will’t say that with one level we’re happy. We play at residence with a full stadium, we want the followers tomorrow to face such a troublesome opponent.”
On the defeat towards the Rojiblancos in La Liga earlier this season, he mentioned: “The optimistic factor we realized is that we are able to play excellent soccer, we confirmed a really excessive stage. We might have scored one or two extra objectives.
“When we now have possibilities, we now have to attain. In a match, what issues is to attain greater than the opponent.”
Reflecting on the group’s performances to date this season, Flick highlighted the unity and camaraderie inside the squad in addition to his help workers, saying:
“What I like most right here is that we’re united, all of us. All of us wish to put on these colors. We’re virtually a household. That’s a very powerful facet. Everybody is aware of what to do to assist the group.
“I’m the supervisor, however we now have great specialists who assist the gamers to get one of the best out of them. It’s very good, it’s not typical, we now have a really younger squad.
“Now we have 22 outfield gamers who’re in good condition and it’s not at all times straightforward. It exhibits that everybody is doing a terrific job.”
Lastly, referring to his birthday right now, as he turned 60 years previous, Flick acknowledged: “A 12 months older than yesterday. Solely the quantity is greater. I really feel high-quality. I didn’t sleep an excessive amount of tonight, possibly it’s an age factor (laughs).
“I’m in good well being, I’ve an exquisite household and I’m at a terrific membership.”
Supply: SPORT