Flick Concerned by Fitness as Barcelona Prepare for Atletico Decider
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has expressed concern over his players' fitness levels ahead of their decisive Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid, following a physically demanding derby win. The German coach, whose side beat Espanyol 4-1 on Saturday, was unable to rest key players until the final minutes of the match, leaving him with limited recovery time before the crucial European clash.
Flick's side secured a vital 4-1 victory over city rivals Espanyol, a result that extended their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points with seven games remaining. However, the win came at a cost. The coach was unable to substitute key players Pedri and Lamine Yamal until the 86th minute, when the score was 2-1, denying them valuable rest ahead of the crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg.
"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 in his post-match press conference. "We have two days to recover. Players usually know how to recover in that time. I think we'll be ready for Tuesday." Barcelona must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium to progress to the Champions League semi-finals.
Despite the physical toll, the victory over Espanyol was a significant step towards the La Liga title. Ferran Torres ended a goal drought with a brace, while Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal added late goals to secure the win. Flick was particularly pleased for Torres, stating, "He is in a good moment. I see it in training. Logically, he is happy with the goals."
With the league title all but secured, Flick is now fully focused on the European challenge. He dismissed any premature title celebrations, stating, "It's not done. We have to do our homework. We can't say it's already done. This attitude is wrong and I don't accept it." He emphasized the need for a positive mentality ahead of the trip to Madrid, adding, "We don't think negatively. On the contrary, I always think positively."
Looking ahead to the clash with Atletico, Flick issued a rallying cry to his players and the fans. "We don't need a miracle, just to play our best football. And we can do that. I know Atletico are a fantastic team, but so are we. We will fight and I'm sure the fans will support us there." The fitness of his squad, however, remains his primary concern as they prepare for a season-defining fixture.
