Barcelona manager Hansi Flick on keys to beating Atletico Madrid – ‘Champions League is different’

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick asserts that their upcoming Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid, their fifth clash of the season, will be unlike previous meetings due to the competition's unique nature. While Barcelona has secured victory in three of their four prior league encounters, the first leg at Camp Nou presents a fresh challenge, particularly with Atletico arriving with a fully rested squad. Flick highlighted the intensity inherent in Champions League football, contrasting it with domestic ties.

"It’s different because the Champions League is the best competition," Flick stated, acknowledging Atletico as a formidable opponent boasting exceptional players. "Atleti is a tough team. They possess great attitude and intensity. Scoring two goals against Atleti is never easy; it’s always complicated. Both matches will be filled with emotion. We aim for a good result tomorrow, but we know we still have the away leg to play. When we won against Newcastle, we deserved it, and we want to keep progressing towards our goal." He further stressed the importance of Barcelona adhering to their playing style and leveraging the strong connection between the fans and players. "We need them tomorrow," he added.

Addressing Atletico Madrid's Flank Play

When questioned about Atletico's consistent strategy of exploiting flanks with long switches to create attacking opportunities, Flick reiterated Barcelona's commitment to their core philosophy. "We have our style and we have to stick to it. We have to press and find the spaces," he explained, emphasizing the critical need for unwavering focus from the start of both matches against Atletico. "Everyone wants to play in the Champions League, and we have the opportunity to reach the semi-finals. That’s our goal." Flick added that defensive effort is a collective responsibility. "We all have to be involved in defence, well-positioned and structured. It’s important that we all contribute to both attack and defence." Reflecting on a 4-0 defeat earlier in February, Flick praised the subsequent improvements, especially the rapid development of young center-backs Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martin. "They’re fantastic. It’s normal that in some situations they don’t make the best choice, but they’re young and they have to learn. They’re improving at a great rate, and it’s fantastic to see," he remarked.

Flick on Atletico Madrid’s Enhanced Rest

Diego Simeone's decision to heavily rotate his squad in the recent Liga match, clearly prioritizing the Champions League, meant Atletico's probable starters received significant rest. In contrast, Barcelona is expected to field a similar lineup to their previous game. Flick expressed optimism that this difference in preparation wouldn't hinder his team. "I hope it doesn’t affect us. When you’re managing playing time, you never know how it will affect you later," he noted. "We don’t have many options, because in La Liga we wanted to win and have that victory. In the Champions League it’s different. Everyone wants to be at their best. It’s a great opportunity to show how good we are."

Risk of Suspension

With a total of 11 players across both teams facing potential suspension if booked in the first leg, Flick was asked about the implications for his team selection and player conduct. He issued a clear directive: "I won’t accept any arguments; we need to focus on the game. I don’t want them arguing, and I want them to stay focused, without arguing with the referee. They also have a lot of cautions. It’s the same situation for them." Flick concluded his press conference by downplaying Lamine Yamal’s frustration after the weekend's victory, as Los Colchoneros prepare to visit Camp Nou at 21:00 CEST on Wednesday night.