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After their surprising defeat against CD Leganés last weekend, FC Barcelona will look to return to winning ways when they face Atlético de Madrid in Montjuic tomorrow in La Liga.
He blaugrana They have lost valuable points in the league in recent weeks and now find themselves level on points with Atlético, who are currently second in the table but have a game in hand.
Therefore, Hansi Flick & co. They are aware that they have no margin for error when they face Diego Simeone’s men at home tomorrow.
On the eve of the match, the German strategist spoke to the media and spoke, among other things, about the importance of tomorrow’s match and the absence of key man Lamine Yamal.
On the current form of Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona
To begin with, the Barcelona coach had words of praise for Atlético de Madrid, which he described as the ‘best team in the League’ currently, saying:
“It is a very difficult game for us. At the moment they are the best team so far. It will be a great game.”
Speaking about Barça’s current situation, in which they have only picked up five points in their last six La Liga games, Flick commented:
“We started the project and on December 20 we are first in La Liga and second in the Champions League. We have lost several points and it was a shame, because we should have beaten Las Palmas and Leganés.
“I respect them because they played better and we have to accept that. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to prove ourselves again.
“We are a young team and we have to improve, we will fight until the end of the season. We have done things well, but it is not easy. Tomorrow we have another chance to do well against a great team.”
One of Barça’s concerns in recent games has been their lack of initial concentration, which has led to goals conceded.
“’We have to be prepared from the second, Atlético scores many goals at the end of the game. That’s why we have to be focused from the beginning to the end.” Flick said about the situation.
In team news
Reacting to the injury suffered by star striker Lamine Yamal, which kept him sidelined for three or four weeks, Flick stated:
“We have to accept this injury and that he is not available. “We have several options to replace it but we have not decided yet.”
On whether Andreas Christensen, who trained with the team this week, will be ready to return tomorrow, the coach responded: “Christensen will not be on the roster tomorrow.”
Curiously, the Barça coach has not commented on the situation of Héctor Fort, who has not trained with the team today due to muscle problems.
Explaining his decision to give his players two days of rest after the defeat against Leganés, the Barcelona coach said:
“Sometimes these decisions are made, when we look back we had no rest. We needed to clarify our ideas and we think it was a good decision. “We have been training very well since then, so I think it was a good decision.”
The director also referred to the team’s Christmas dinner, highlighting the unity in the camp and saying:
“I felt that we are a family and that we are very united. The squad is very proud of each and every one of the players and that is what identifies us.”
When asked what the club’s president, Joan Laporta, said to him at the dinner, Flick responded: “You can’t know, it’s private. I can’t tell you what it tells me. I’ll keep it a secret (laughs).
Speaking about the team’s dynamics ahead of tomorrow’s game, which marks the halfway point of the season, the coach explained:
“We have lost great players and we only signed Olmo and Pau Víctor. The team is growing a lot and in the end we are not happy with the club’s situation but we are going to fight until the end.
“It’s not easy, but we want to win all the titles and this starts with winning tomorrow.”
To conclude, Flick commented on the issue of Robert Lewandowski’s substitutions in recent matches, which has become a topic of debate, stating:
“In those situations, a decision has to be made. Ferran did very well in the previous rounds and after the games everything is clearer and better.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
