Copa del Rey – Barça: beaten 4-0 in the first leg, Hansi Flick believes in a comeback against Atlético Madrid
Thrashed 4-0 by Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, Barça will have to pull off a remarkable comeback in the return leg to keep their Copa del Rey run alive. Not an impossible task for manager Hansi Flick, who believes in a Blaugrana comeback against the Colchoneros.
FC Barcelona were hammered in Madrid and now face a monumental challenge. Hammered 4-0 by Atlético in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, the Catalans will need to pull off a remarkable comeback in the return leg, on March 3 at Spotify Camp Nou, to turn the tie around.
Dominated in intensity as well as in play, Hansi Flick’s men looked unrecognizable, particularly in the first half. An insufficient performance at this level of competition, which now condemns them to score at least four goals to force extra time against the Colchoneros.
Clearly aware of the result, the German coach did not look for excuses. He acknowledged that his team had not performed at the expected level and called for a reaction of pride in the return leg. Conscious of the magnitude of the task, Flick nevertheless insists that his squad will fight until the end.
“We did not play well. We must do better in the return match. It will be very difficult, but we will fight. We spoke at half-time about the different situations and that we should do better. We did not see the team I wanted to see in the first half.”, Flick said in the mixed zone.
The German coach also expressed his confusion regarding a contentious refereeing decision in the second half, notably on an offside situation he deems questionable. While he says he accepts the verdict, he concedes that he does not share the officials’ analysis. “I ask why it is offside. I do not know what they decided. We have to accept it, but I do not agree.” Now it’s up to Barcelona to respond on the pitch.
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