Flick Highlights Fitness Concerns as Barcelona Prepare for Atletico Comeback
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has admitted to concerns over his players' fitness levels ahead of a crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. The German coach's apprehension stems from his inability to rest key players during Saturday's tense 4-1 La Liga derby win over Espanyol, a result that extended Barcelona's lead at the top of the domestic table to nine points.
According to a report from Diario AS, Flick revealed that the nature of the match, which was 2-1 until the 86th minute, forced him to keep pivotal figures like Pedri and Lamine Yamal on the pitch longer than planned. With only two full days of recovery before Tuesday's trip to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, managing fatigue is a pressing issue. Barcelona must overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit to keep their European campaign alive.
"Yes, but we managed the minutes and, in the end, the story of the game was different to what we expected after it went 2-1," Flick said, addressing the situation. He expressed confidence in his squad's recovery capacity, adding, "Players usually know how to recover in that time. I think we’ll be ready for Tuesday." The victory over Espanyol was sealed by late goals from Yamal and Marcus Rashford, providing a morale boost but offering little physical respite.
The derby did see a positive personal milestone, with Ferran Torres ending a goal drought by scoring twice. Flick praised the forward's recent form in training and his timely return to scoring. This offensive output will be vital against a resilient Atletico side. Despite the significant lead in La Liga, Flick was adamant that the title race is not over, stressing the need for continued focus and a positive mentality from his squad.
Looking ahead to the European challenge, Flick dismissed the notion that his team requires a miracle to progress. "We don’t need a miracle, just play our best football. And we can do that," he stated, issuing a rallying cry to the travelling supporters. The fixture congestion highlights the dual demands on a Barcelona squad that has contended with injuries throughout the season, as noted by Flick, yet remains in contention for a domestic and European double.
The immediate implication is a severely compressed recovery window, testing the squad's depth and conditioning ahead of one of their most important matches of the season. How Flick manages his starting eleven, particularly the minutes of young stars like Yamal and the recently injury-prone Pedri, could define Barcelona's chances of mounting a comeback in Madrid.
