Report reveals how Hansi Flick’s correct prediction and special training helped Barcelona get the better of Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Only a few days after beating them 4-2 in La Liga, FC Barcelona once again emerged victorious over Atletico Madrid last night as the Blaugranes beat the Colchoneros 0-1 at the Metropolitano to secure their place in the Copa del Rey final.

The first leg had finished in a 4-4 draw, leaving everything up for grabs in the second leg. Ultimately, it was the Catalans who got the better of their opponents.

Needless to say, this win did not come only by chance, as a report by Mundo Deportivo has highlighted how Hansi Flick had actually correctly predicted the approach that the Mattress Makers were expected to take for this game, and prepared his team well to ensure they thrived in this game.

The report claims that the Barcelona coach understood that Atletico Madrid would put in a low block in this game as the aggregate score stood at 4-4, and would be looking to absorb his team’s pressure and take advantage of any mistakes from the Blaugranes to punish them on the counter.

Thus, Flick focused a lot on speeding up transitions, which would allow his team to find spaces before the Colchoneros put in a water-tight low block. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were tasked with finding the right opportunities for quick transitions.

The two training sessions before the match were spent focusing on this aspect. Lamine Yamal was tasked to find Ferran Torres, who would run into space, or another teammate if the Valencian dragged a defender away.

Flick’s prediction was right, as Diego Simeone fielded a 5-3-2 formation, with Marcos Llorente working as a fullback without the ball and as an interior midfielder when his team had possession.