Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, described his team’s crushing 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg as a much-needed wake-up call. The defeat, the most significant of the season for the defending champions, occurred at a vibrant Metropolitano Stadium, leaving Barcelona with a significant challenge in the upcoming return leg at Camp Nou.
Flick, speaking candidly after the match, expressed disappointment in his team’s lack of unity but remained optimistic about their chances in the next leg. “Our team did not perform cohesively. When there is a lack of teamwork, the performance suffers. The distance between players was evident, and pressing was lacking,” Flick explained to the media. “Experiencing a defeat like this can serve as a valuable lesson. Today’s loss was a wake-up call, a tough one. We must acknowledge and learn from it.”
The German coach acknowledged that his team was outplayed from the start, although he noted some improvement in the second half. “Our performance was subpar from the initial moments. Despite having a young team, we cannot use that as an excuse. The second half showed some progress… We will persevere. We have two halves of 45 minutes each to score two goals in each,” Flick emphasized.
While Flick focused on addressing his team’s deficiencies, Atletico manager Diego Simeone commended his players and the electric ambiance at the Metropolitano, which he believed propelled them to an exceptional display. “The stadium exuded incredible energy, and life is fueled by energy,” Simeone remarked. “The support from our fans energized us, and we were able to reciprocate… I believe we performed admirably. Regardless of the tie’s outcome, today’s match will be memorable.”
The second leg is scheduled in two weeks, with Barcelona relying on Flick’s determination and Atletico buoyed by their substantial lead.