Crunch

Hansi Flick warned his Barcelona stars they should focus to keep away from crumbling towards Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga as they’ve of their earlier two conferences this season.

Leaders Barcelona are some extent forward of Diego Simeone’s Atletico, third, going into the large title conflict on the Metropolitano stadium within the Spanish capital.

Barcelona led towards Atletico within the first league match in December however Rodrigo De Paul levelled for the guests and Alexander Sorloth hit a 96th minute winner which helped them usurp the Catalans on the prime of the desk.

Then within the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg Barcelona let in two objectives within the first six minutes and two late objectives, together with one other Sorloth stoppage time strike in a wild 4-4 draw.

“I feel we’ve got had actually two nice matches and naturally we’ve got to be focussed from the start to the tip of the match,” Flick advised reporters Saturday.

“I feel within the first match, on the finish of the match we weren’t so focussed like we might be, and likewise the second match was (the identical) to start with and likewise on the finish, so we’ve got to take care about that.

“Whenever you make errors Atletico can harm you and that is what we’ve got to defend towards.”

Atletico Madrid have been knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday on penalties by rivals Actual Madrid, whereas Barcelona beat Benfica to succeed in the quarter-finals.

Former Manchester Metropolis striker Julian Alvarez scored a penalty within the shoot-out for Atletico which was controversially disallowed as a result of he could have touched the ball twice when he slipped as he took it.

“It was an unfortunate scenario, I really feel for him, he is among the best strikers,” mentioned Flick, including that it was “not an issue” for Atletico to have performed 120 minutes due to their squad depth.

Atletico coach Simeone was nonetheless upset concerning the determination to rule out Alvarez’s penalty.

“Usually I might (say I am solely talking about) Barcelona, however this time the scenario deserves for me to elucidate my feeling of anger, however it’s in my arms to proceed working in order that the workforce continues to compete,” Simeone advised reporters.

– ‘Rage and injustice’ –

“The sensation all of us have is certainly one of anger, rage and injustice.”

Flick has loads of choices himself with Dani Olmo seemingly forward of Gavi within the pecking order for the attacking midfield spot.

Gavi and Barca defender Alejandro Balde weren’t included within the Spain squad to face the Netherlands within the Nations League quarter-finals subsequent week, however the Barca coach hailed each gamers.

“(Gavi) got here from an enormous damage and he is 20 years previous and now in the meanwhile he’s I feel, not the primary (alternative)… a tougher scenario however he is doing nice,” mentioned Flick.

“In the meanwhile our midfield is doing actually good. I am pleased he is right here and I feel he’ll play many, a few years for this wonderful membership and be one of many superstars right here.

“He can enhance loads, he’ll do that. His angle is unbelievably good, he is actually focussed and actually pleased he’s right here.

“I feel for the World Cup 2026 he might be there and be capable of play, 100%.”

Flick mentioned Balde was “among the best” left-backs on this planet, and likewise praised veteran centre-back Inigo Martinez, who was referred to as up for Spain by nationwide workforce coach Luis de la Fuente.

“Together with his angle and mentality he is unbelievably good for each workforce,” added Flick.

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