Flick talks Raphinha, Cubarsi, Ter Stegen, Olmo ahead of Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona will take on Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, hoping to secure a spot in the finals.

The first leg at Montjuic in February was an entertaining affair that ended in a 4-4 draw, meaning both teams go into the second leg on stalemate.

Barça did beat Atletico 4-2 in La Liga recently after the first leg and will have confidence and momentum behind them heading into tomorrow’s big game.

Ahead of the match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the media in his press conference, discussing various topics including the availability of key winger Raphinha.

On the game

Talking about the game and how the team will approach it, the German tactician noted:

“‘I think it’s a different game, it’s like a final before the final and I think we’re going to the final. It’s a great opportunity. We are proud of this team. It’s not by luck that we’ve got this far: we deserve it. I also want to thank everyone for their work.

“In every situation, they give the right answer. We won the Super Cup but it’s in the past.”

However, Flick acknowledged that Atletico Madrid will not be an easy opposition, saying:

“We want to reach the final but it won’t be easy. They have a fantastic coach, they know what they are playing for and they are convinced of what they are doing. They are there until the last minute, it will be very difficult.”

On being asked if he thinks Atletico can be more dangerous in the cup tie, he added: “It’s the title they are closest to but in La Liga, there are a lot of games to play as well. There is still a long way to go until the end of the season.

“‘They play like that normally: nothing changes, they have their style. Their intensity is always high, I love the way they play. With speed, with pace and I love their style.”

Another showdown beckons. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

On whether this match can define how things go for Barcelona in the rest of the season, Flick remarked:

“My attitude is always the same: we have to try, always try and we’ll see the result. The team has improved a lot and I am very grateful for how we have done so far, but this is football.

“Of course, titles count but I think everyone is happy with what they are seeing, with how we are playing. I’m happy with the team and what I see in the dressing room.”

Expressing his thoughts about playing extra time or the match going into penalties, Flick said:

“We focus on the 90 minutes but if there are 120 minutes or penalties you have to be ready. If you make mistakes against Atletico they know how to take advantage of them. But I don’t think about whether there will be extra time.”

On the squad

With Dani Olmo out of the game due to an injury, Flick was asked how he planned to replace the Spanish playmaker. In response, he said:

“‘It’s always the same: we have to find the player who knows how to defend because you have to defend from the top, also in attack. We have several options and I trust all the players we have, so you know: we’ll see.

“There are small differences: I won’t decide today. We haven’t trained very hard: we’ve talked a lot in the dressing room. We’ll decide tomorrow.”

On being asked if Raphinha is fit and ready for the clash, Flick replied in the affirmative, saying: “Absolutely.”

On whether Pau Cubarsi is also ready to play, the manager said: “The same as Raphinha. We have given him more time so he could recover, I think it was a good decision. He will be able to play tomorrow. He is ready.”

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen resuming group training, his return from injury is now getting closer, meaning Flick will have a decision to make on whether to reinstate the German in goal or continue with Wojciech Szczesny for the rest of the season.

Closing in on a comeback. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“We will see: step by step. When he is better we will see what happens. Now is not the time to make a decision or say anything. We have to focus on today and we have time,” Flick said on the matter.

“The good news is that everything is going well with Marc and we are happy that he is at this stage. We’ll see what happens.”

Regarding Robert Lewandowski’s role in the team and whether he will be a part of the lineup tomorrow, Flick noted:

“We have our idea of how we want to play: maybe we change something, but you won’t know that today.”

On whether his squad has been practising penalties for a possible shootout, he said: “Well, it’s always like that. At the end of training some players stay to take penalties.

“We haven’t done anything special: we always manage it the same way. There is nothing special.”

Flick was then asked if he was bothered that in some circles it is not recognised that Barcelona play the best football, to which he replied:

“I think you can see that we play well, the fans can see that too. I don’t think you have to compare with Real Madrid. You would like me to say something but I won’t say it. Madrid are a great team with a great coach and so are Atletico.

“At the end of the season, we’ll see how it all ends. I have that hunger to win titles and we’re going to give everything.”

Source: SPORT