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With the race for the Spanish crown poised incredibly well, Barcelona head coach Flick asserted that his side will have to be focused and sharp when they take on the Rojiblancos.
Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
La Liga leaders Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid in a match of immense bearing in the title race as Hansi Flick’s men head to the Metropolitano to take on Diego Simeone’s resilient unit, who are placed third in the table- a point shy of the Catalan side.
Barcelona have amassed 57 points in 26 games and have a game in hand over second-placed arch-rivals Real Madrid, who have also picked up exactly as many points in 27 fixtures this far this season.
With the race for the Spanish crown poised incredibly well, Barcelona head coach Flick asserted that his side will have to be focused and sharp when they take on the Rojiblancos.
The sides have had two exciting encounters this season already, with the first La Liga game between the teams in the ongoing campaign going the way of Atletico before the second fixture, a Copa Del Rey first-leg encounter that ended 4-4.
“I think we have had really two great matches and of course we have to be focussed from begninning to the end of the match,” Flick began.
“I think in the first match, at the end of the match, we were not so focussed like we can be, and also the second match was the same in the beginning and also at the end, so we have to take care about that,” the German boss said.
“When you make mistakes Atletico can hurt you and this is what we have to defend against,” he opined.
Flick hailed midfielder Gavi and defender Alejandro Balde, despite their non-selection by Luis De La Fuente for the Spanish side’s UEFA Nations League match against The Netherlands, and assured that the youngsters would be a crucial cog in the national outfit going forward.
“Gavi came from a huge injury and he’s 20 years old and now at the moment he is I think, not the first choice… a more difficult situation but he’s doing great,” the 60-year-old said.
“At the moment our midfield is doing really good. I’m happy he’s here and I think he will play many, many years for this amazing club and be one of the superstars here, he continued.
“He can improve a lot, he will do this. His attitude is unbelievably good, he’s really focussed and really happy he is here,” the Blaugrana boss added.
“I think for the World Cup 2026 he will be there and be able to play, 100 percent,” he asserted.
Flick also lauded Inigo Martinez on his call up to La Roja as he heaped praise on the defender’s mentality and his attitude to work for the best of the team.
“With his attitude and mentality he’s unbelievably good for every team,” Flick concluded.
