Barcelona head into Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg in opposition to Atletico Madrid carrying wounds — but in addition perception.
Trailing 4-0 from the primary leg, Hansi Flick’s facet face a monumental job at residence. But the German coach insisted on Monday that his gamers usually are not able to give up their title with out a battle.
“We’re 4 targets behind and we’ve to make the unattainable doable. That’s the goal,” Flick advised reporters. “It isn’t straightforward. Nevertheless, we is not going to surrender.”
Atletico surprised Barcelona final month with a devastating first-half show, scoring 4 occasions at hand the Catalans their first home clean of the season. The outcome left Diego Simeone’s males on the point of their first Copa del Rey last since 2012–13.
However regardless of the commanding benefit, Simeone refused to deal with the tie as settled.
“We’re desirous about the match forward of us, in opposition to an excellent opponent,” the Atletico supervisor mentioned. “They’re attacking, open and play as a workforce, making them some of the aggressive sides in LaLiga and in Europe.”
Barcelona’s latest type affords Flick cause for optimism. The league leaders have scored seven targets of their final two matches, together with a Lamine Yamal hat-trick in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Villarreal. With 71 league targets this season, Barca stay essentially the most potent attacking facet in Spain.
But their comeback hopes have been difficult by damage. Striker Robert Lewandowski fractured his eye socket in opposition to Villarreal and can miss the decisive second leg.
“We should handle Lewy’s absence,” Flick mentioned. “We’ve got not had a lot luck. Shedding a participant like him, and the others who can’t be there, is an issue, however the workforce handles it nicely.”
Flick outlined the blueprint for what can be one of many membership’s most dramatic turnarounds.
“You will need to preserve a clear sheet, however we should imagine in our power and that we will obtain it,” he mentioned. “For instance, in every half we have to rating two targets.”
Containing Yamal shall be central to Atletico’s defensive plan. {The teenager}’s late-game explosiveness has troubled opponents all season.
“He’s an excellent particular person participant, significantly harmful within the last phases of the sport,” Simeone mentioned. “We’ve got to place him the place he feels most uncomfortable, which is defending.”
Atletico, at present third in LaLiga and 13 factors behind Barcelona with 12 matches remaining, are additionally getting ready for a Champions League round-of-16 conflict in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur. Simeone mentioned he relishes competing on a number of fronts.
“In summer season, you at all times assume, I want we may compete for every part. Now we’re in a implausible place, combating for what we would like,” he mentioned.
For Barcelona, nevertheless, Tuesday represents greater than one other fixture. It’s a take a look at of character after humiliation.
“We should press them, win the duels and make issues tough for them,” Flick mentioned. “We can not lose possession, as they’re very harmful in transition. We’ve got to play as one.”
4 targets down. With out their predominant striker. Towards one in every of Europe’s most disciplined sides.
Barcelona know the size of the problem.
However as Flick made clear, perception — not consolation — will outline their strategy.
And on the Camp Nou, they may attempt to flip the unattainable into one thing else solely.
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