Hansi Flick has backed Barcelona to overturn their heavy first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid, insisting the tie is far from over despite a painful night in the Spanish capital.
Barca were handed a 4-0 loss at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, leaving the Catalan giants with a mountain to climb ahead of the decisive return at Spotify Camp Nou on 3 March.
Nevertheless, Flick struck a defiant tone as he faced the media, rallying both his players and supporters for the battle ahead.
“We are capable of coming back. We will fight and for that reason we need our fans at Spotify Camp Nou,” said Flick.
From the outset, Atletico set the tempo, pressing aggressively and capitalising on Barcelona’s slow start.
Flick admitted his side failed to impose themselves early on, particularly during a damaging first half that ultimately shaped the contest.
“We didn’t play well as a team in the first half. We didn’t press as we wanted and I would have liked to have seen the hunger that Atletico showed. In the second half we were better.”
Although the deficit is significant, Flick emphasised the broader picture, highlighting the team’s overall progress this season while acknowledging the need for immediate improvement.
“I am proud of my team. It’s clear I am not happy with the first 45 minutes but I am proud of the season we are putting in. We will pick ourselves up and come back.”
With the return leg looming, the German coach refused to concede the tie, underlining his belief that momentum can shift quickly in knockout football.
“We have a chance of turning it around. We can win each half 2-0,” added the tactician, who denied it was his worst day in the job of Barca coach before sending a message of hope to the fans ahead of the second leg at Spotify Camp Nou.
Now, all eyes turn to Camp Nou, where Barcelona must produce a statement performance to keep their Copa del Rey dreams alive.
If Flick’s words are anything to go by, the Blaugrana will approach the second leg with belief, intensity and the backing of a passionate home crowd determined to witness a famous comeback.
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