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FC Barcelona will lock horns with Atletico Madrid on Sunday in an important La Liga conflict that can have main implications for the title race.
The Catalans misplaced the reverse fixture at house after which didn’t beat the Rojiblancos within the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg as effectively.
As such, Hansi Flick will probably be gunning for his first win as Barcelona supervisor over Diego Simeone’s facet.
Forward of the match on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Flick spoke to the media as a part of his pre-match press convention, discussing numerous matters together with Inigo Martinez’s current nationwide workforce call-up and Gavi’s current lack of minutes.
On Atletico Madrid
Kicking issues off, the Barcelona supervisor gave an perception into the workforce’s mindset heading into the essential encounter, saying:
“I see the workforce very targeted for tomorrow. We’re wanting ahead to the sport. It’s tough, there are at all times issues we are able to study and assist us enhance. Tomorrow will probably be tough, however we’re prepared.”
Flick then went on so as to add that Atletico is not going to be affected by their midweek UEFA Champions League elimination by the hands of Actual Madrid, saying:
“For me, they’re an excellent workforce, it’s not simply three or 4 gamers. The Madrid match received’t be an issue, they’re in high kind, they’ve expertise and I don’t assume it’s going to have an effect on them an excessive amount of.”
The Barcelona supervisor then sympathised with Atletico ahead Julian Alvarez, who had his penalty dominated out in the course of the shootout loss to Actual Madrid because of a double-touch, as he stated:
“What would you like from me? It was a really unlucky scenario, I really feel dangerous for him as a result of he is excellent, the most effective in the mean time. However I’ve nothing to remark, I didn’t make that call. I really feel dangerous for him.”
Flick sympathised with Alvarez. (Picture by Angel Martinez/Getty Photographs)
Relating to his document towards Atletico to date since taking on at Barça, Flick added: “I believe we performed two nice video games and we’ve got to be targeted from begin to end. On the finish of the primary sport, we weren’t as targeted as we needed to be.
“In the second, it occurred to us each at the start and on the finish and we’ve got to maintain these particulars. In the event you make errors Atletico make you pay for them.”
On being requested about Barcelona’s UCL quarter-final draw towards Borussia Dortmund, he famous:
“I’ve a very good relationship with Niko Kovac, he’s a very good man. However I don’t wish to discuss that sport, there’s a protracted approach to go. We now have numerous video games earlier than then.
“Dortmund are an important workforce, they confirmed that once we performed them. There are good groups within the quarter-finals, we’re wanting ahead to it. However now it’s Atletico.”
On whether or not the Atletico sport could be a decider within the title race, he acknowledged: “There’s nonetheless a protracted approach to go. It’s one sport, that’s all. In fact, if we win we’ll achieve confidence. It’s Atletico, the most effective in La Liga, implausible groups.
“I at all times say that the groups in La Liga know methods to play and it’s not straightforward to beat any of them. We’re in an excellent scenario in the mean time, sustaining a very good degree. If we focus, we’ve got numerous possibilities and potential.”
On the squad
Relating to the upcoming worldwide break and gamers leaving for nationwide workforce responsibility, he famous:
“It’s at all times tough for the groups. However nationwide groups are necessary. It’s what it’s and we can have time for different gamers to relaxation and get well misplaced vitality. Spain will play two necessary matches and we can have every week for the following sport.”
Giving his two cents on Inigo Martinez’s call-up to the nationwide workforce, Flick acknowledged: “My opinion is that he’s enjoying very effectively, however it’s not my resolution whether or not or not he goes with the nationwide workforce.
“The coach decides this and he’s doing it very effectively, he additionally sees how Inigo is doing, along with his perspective, his mentality….”
Flick believes Gavi will probably be necessary regardless of current lack of minutes. (Picture by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Photographs)
Of late, there was hypothesis about Barcelona midfield prodigy Gavi, provided that he has not been that includes commonly. Explaining the scenario, Flick stated:
“In fact I discuss to him, to everybody. What can I let you know about Gavi, he comes from an important harm. For the time being, he’s not the primary one after the harm. The second tough scenario is to come back again, however he’s one among our greatest gamers.
“Our midfield is excellent. He’ll play for a few years on this magnificent membership and he will probably be one of many stars. He’ll enhance quite a bit, I’m satisfied. He’s very targeted and joyful to be right here. He has hopes of being within the World Cup and I’m satisfied he will probably be.”
Relating to the potential contract renewal of Frenkie de Jong, he added: “That is all the way down to the membership and naturally the participant. He has improved quite a bit after a significant harm, he was out for a very long time.
“He’s enjoying very effectively, he offers us numerous choices on the ball, the possession with him will increase. I’m joyful.”
Flick additionally spoke extremely of Lamine Yamal, who not too long ago obtained reward from WWE legend and Corridor of Famer, Triple H, saying:
“I see him the identical as at all times. He’s at all times been assured on the ball, scoring in fact helps quite a bit. He additionally supplied the help for the primary aim. He’s enjoying very effectively, his efficiency is excellent. I don’t assume that aim has modified something.”
The supervisor additionally praised Alejandro Balde and the way he has been performing this season, as he stated:
“His season has been superb. He has improved quite a bit. He’s on the degree of the perfect left-backs on the earth. A implausible participant. And I believe he has numerous potential, he desires to study and enhance day-after-day. Step-by-step. That’s superb.”
Supply: SPORT
