Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has issued a defiant rallying cry ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes Copa del Rey semifinal second leg, insisting his side can overturn a daunting 4-0 deficit against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. The Catalan giants host the Rojiblancos at the Camp Nou following a heavy first-leg defeat in February, facing a monumental task to keep their trophy defense alive.
“We are four goals behind, so we want to make the impossible possible; this is our goal for tomorrow,” Flick told reporters on Monday. Despite the mountain they have to climb, the German tactician emphasized that his squad remains mentally strong. “We all know that it’s not easy, but in the end, we never give up. We start this match aiming for a clean sheet, believing in our strengths and that we can do it.”
Barcelona enters the clash with significant momentum after thrashing Villarreal 4-1 on Saturday, a match defined by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal’s first career hat-trick. While Flick acknowledged Yamal’s “outstanding quality” and clinical positioning, he was quick to remind his players that a comeback of this magnitude requires a collective effort. “The team is always in focus. We need everyone, not only Lamine,” Flick added, highlighting the need for the same “intensity and hunger” shown in their recent La Liga outing.
The Blaugrana will have to hunt for goals without talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski, who remains sidelined with an injury. However, there is a silver lining in midfield as Pedri Gonzalez is in contention to start after making several successful substitute appearances following a hamstring problem.
On the opposite side, Diego Simeone is fully aware of the threat Yamal poses and has already devised a tactical trap. The Atletico boss revealed his strategy is to force the youngster into defensive territory to nullify his attacking flair. “We have to take him to where he’s most uncomfortable, which is defending,” Simeone remarked. With Atletico trailing Barcelona by 13 points in the league, the Copa del Rey represents their most realistic path to silverware, and Simeone insists his side is ready to fight for their place in the final.
