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Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will sq. off on Tuesday night time in a heavyweight conflict within the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
The Rojiblancos have already crushed Hansi Flick’s males as soon as this season in Montjuic, securing a 2-1 win of their final recreation of 2024, and can return to the stadium hoping for a repeat.
Forward of the sport, Atletico Madrid supervisor Diego Simeone spoke to the media the place he praised his Barcelona counterpart Hansi Flick, whereas additionally confirming the absence of a veteran participant for the journey to Catalonia.
Simeone on Flick, Barcelona
Speaking in regards to the semi-final first leg, Simeone kicked issues off by saying: “We face these video games with phantasm and enthusiasm and we deal with the sport we’re enjoying now, on this case Barcelona.”
“It’s a vital match, it’s divided into two phases. And we’ll should take the sport the place we expect we are able to harm them,” he added.
Simeone has been vocal in his reward of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in latest months and as soon as once more gave credit score to the German tactician, calling him the Catalans’ ‘best energy.’
“Their largest energy is the coach, he has the energy to transmit the model of play and the arrival of Flick has performed Barcelona plenty of good,” he remarked.
When requested about how he plans to sort out Barça, Simeone replied: “Now we have a concrete concept and we’ll work on it with the lads in coaching.
“We’re dealing with an opponent that I actually like the way in which they play. They’ve a fantastic attacking energy and we’ll look to harm them the place we expect we are able to.”
Simeone has turn out to be a Flick admirer. (Photograph by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Photos)
Having crushed Barcelona in La Liga already, the Atletico Madrid supervisor confused that the important thing will probably be to remain affected person and capitalise when their moments arrive.
“While you face huge groups you must be ready to endure. There will probably be good moments, we all know the way it occurred towards Actual Madrid, the place there have been moments after they have been higher than us…,” he famous.
“We all know that there will probably be totally different moments of video games and hopefully there will probably be extra good ones for us.”
On Lamine Yamal, Barcelona goalkeepers
Barcelona are sweating over the health of key winger Lamine Yamal who didn’t prepare with the workforce at this time attributable to a bruise on his foot that he picked up towards Las Palmas.
On being requested in regards to the younger winger’s attainable absence tomorrow, Simeone replied:
“I’m not going to speak about every of the opposition’s gamers. They’ve decisive gamers, offensively they’re going by way of an excellent second, whoever they play, they play very effectively.”
Concerning Barcelona’s goalkeeping state of affairs, the place Wojciech Szczesny has changed Inaki Pena as the popular possibility between the sticks, Simeone refused to get entangled, saying:
“I’m not right here to speak about particular person opponents. I favor to speak about us, the joy that this competitors generates and we’re fascinated with enjoying a very good recreation.”
On the identical time, Simeone additionally dominated out veteran defender Cesar Azpilicueta for the sport whereas additionally offering an replace on the situation of Clement Lenglet, on mortgage at Atletico from Barcelona.
“Cesar gained’t be with us towards Barcelona, I hope he arrives on Saturday. And Lenglet, we’ll see if he begins or not,” he commented.
The Atletico Madrid head coach additionally confirmed that second-choice goalkeeper, Juan Musso, will begin in aim towards the Blaugrana, saying: “Juan will play for positive.”
Supply: AS
