Copa Del Rey semi-final: Flick backs Barcelona to overturn four-goal deficit against Atletico

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick emphasized on Monday that his team could overturn a 4-0 deficit in the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

The Catalan giants host Diego Simeone’s side on Tuesday in the second leg after a heavy defeat to the Rojiblancos in February, and will need a spectacular comeback when it comes to defending the trophy.

«We are four goals behind, so we want to make the impossible possible; this is our goal for the match,» Flick told reporters.

“We all know it’s not easy, but in the end we never give up and we start this match (with the aim of) keeping a clean sheet, believing in our strengths and that we can do it.”

Barca defeated Villarreal 4-1 at Camp Nou in La Liga on Saturday, with a hat-trick from teenage star Lamine Yamal.

Flick said the winger would be important against Atletico, but the team as a whole needed to perform before Barca could stage a comeback.

“The team is always focused,” said Flick. “The first goal from him was a great ball recovery and a great pass from Fermin (Lopez), (Yamal) has the excellent quality to score this goal and be in the right position at the moment.

«The way he played after that was great to see; I’m very happy with that, but at the end of the day we need everyone, not just Lamine.»

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Flick said the performance against Villarreal was an important step forward for Barcelona and called on his players to perform similarly against Atletico.

«We’re playing against a great team; they hurt us a lot in the last game, but we can do this,» Flick said.

«We have to play smart, but with the hunger to make it happen. The last game against Villarreal we saw a completely different team, a different dynamic and a different intensity in our game.»

“We have to play as one and this is the key for tomorrow.”

Barca will be without injured striker Robert Lewandowski, but Pedri Gonzalez could be in line to start after making a few substitute appearances due to a hamstring problem.

With Atletico third in La Liga, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona, ​​their best chances of success this season are via a cup route.

Published on March 2, 2026