Jay Boss
Hansi Flick has urged his Barcelona players to stay fully focused when they face Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga, warning them to avoid the costly lapses that have plagued their previous encounters this season.
Barcelona, currently leading the table by a single point, will take on third-placed Atletico in a high-stakes title clash at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
In their first league meeting in December, Barcelona initially held the lead, but Rodrigo De Paul equalized before Alexander Sorloth netted a dramatic winner in the 96th minute, propelling Atletico above the Catalan side in the standings. Their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg was another chaotic affair, with Barcelona conceding twice in the opening six minutes and again in stoppage time, including another late goal from Sorloth, resulting in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
Reflecting on these performances, Flick emphasized the need for unwavering concentration.
“We played two great matches, but we must remain focused from start to finish,” Flick told reporters on Saturday. “In the first game, we lost concentration towards the end, and in the second, we lacked focus both at the beginning and in the closing moments. We need to address that.
“When you make mistakes against Atletico, they will punish you. That’s something we have to prevent.”
Atletico Madrid head into the fixture after a heartbreaking Champions League exit to Real Madrid on penalties, while Barcelona advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Benfica.
Atletico’s Julian Alvarez suffered misfortune in the penalty shootout when his spot-kick was controversially disallowed, as he appeared to make slight contact with the ball twice due to a slip.
“It was an unfortunate situation. I feel for him—he’s one of the best strikers,” Flick said. However, he dismissed concerns about Atletico’s fatigue from their 120-minute battle, citing their squad depth.
‘One of the superstars’
Flick also addressed his own selection dilemmas, with Dani Olmo seemingly preferred over Gavi for the attacking midfield role.
Neither Gavi nor Alejandro Balde were included in Spain’s squad for the upcoming Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands, but Flick was full of praise for both players.
“Gavi is coming back from a major injury. He’s only 20, and while he’s not the first choice at the moment, he’s handling the situation well,” said Flick. “Our midfield is performing excellently right now, but Gavi is an important player for the club and will have a long, successful career here.
“He has immense potential and an incredible attitude. By the 2026 World Cup, I have no doubt he’ll be ready to play at the highest level.”
Flick also lauded Balde as “one of the best” left-backs in the world and acknowledged veteran defender Inigo Martinez’s value after he earned a call-up to Spain’s national team.
“His mentality and work ethic make him a fantastic asset for any team,” Flick added.
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