‘Barca Must Make The Impossible Possible’: Coach Hansi Flick On Atletico Cup Challenge

Last Updated:March 02, 2026, 20:13 IST

Hansi Flick urges Barcelona to overturn a 4-0 Copa del Rey deficit against Atletico Madrid, highlighting Lamine Yamal's form and team unity, while Simeone plots to contain Yamal.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick expressed confidence on Monday that his team could overturn a 4-0 deficit in the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

The Catalan club faces Diego Simeone’s squad on Tuesday for the second leg after suffering a heavy defeat in February. They need a remarkable comeback to keep their hopes of defending the trophy alive.

“We are four goals behind, so we want to make the impossible possible. This is our goal for tomorrow," Flick addressed the media.

“We all know that it’s not easy, but in the end, we never give up, and we start this match (aiming) for a clean sheet, believing in our strengths and that we can do it."

Barcelona secured a 4-1 win over Villarreal at Camp Nou on Saturday in La Liga, with young star Lamine Yamal scoring his first career hat-trick.

Flick highlighted the importance of Yamal but stressed that the entire team needed to perform well to stage a comeback against Atletico.

“The team is always in focus," Flick commented. “The first goal from him was a great recovery of the ball and a great pass from Fermin (Lopez), (Yamal) has the outstanding quality to score this goal and be in the right position at this moment.

“How he played after that was great to see, really happy about that, but in the end, we need everyone, not only Lamine."

Flick emphasised that the performance against Villarreal was a major boost for Barcelona and urged his players to replicate it against Atletico.

“We play against a fantastic team, they hurt us a lot in the last match, but we can do this," Flick said.

“We have to play smart, but with this hunger to make it happen. Last game against Villarreal, we saw a totally different team, a different dynamic, a different intensity in our game.

“We have to play like one unit, and this is the key for tomorrow."

Barcelona will miss injured striker Robert Lewandowski, but Pedri Gonzalez might start after making a few substitute appearances following a hamstring injury.

Simeone said his strategy to contain Yamal involved pushing him back into his own half.

“He’s a very good player individually; above all, he can make things happen in the final third," noted the coach.

“We have to take advantage of the chance that it gives us to attack in that area; we have to take him to where he’s most uncomfortable, which is defending."

With Atletico sitting third in La Liga, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona, their best chance for a trophy this season appears to be through cup competitions.

“When you start in pre-season, you want to be fighting for everything in March. It’s true we’re a bit far from the top of La Liga, but we’re doing well in the Copa and in the Champions League," added Simeone.

“We are doing well where we are, fighting for what we want to fight for."

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