Headline: Barcelona Aims to Strengthen La Liga Lead Against Atletico Madrid
Barcelona is set to face Atletico Madrid in a crucial La Liga match at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano tomorrow, as they look to maintain their position at the top of the standings. The Blaugrana currently hold a slim two-point lead over the Rojiblancos, making the match vital for both teams, especially with the international break approaching.
Ahead of the game, head coach Hansi Flick addressed the media, providing updates on players’ injuries and squad selections.
Flick Confirms Duo’s Return
Flick confirmed that defensive players Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen are available for selection in the upcoming match. He stated, “Eric could start and both will be in the squad for tomorrow. I think Eric can start, but we’ll see.”
The manager also discussed Rodri’s recent injury, which happened during Barcelona’s victory over Aston Villa, reflecting on the management of the player’s minutes. “You can always do things better, but in this case I spoke with the player and we managed his minutes. He’s an experienced player and we talked,” Flick mentioned. He added, “We agreed on these things. I can’t do more. When you see the results, you think you could have done things differently, but that’s in the past now.”
Regarding Rodri’s replacement in the lineup, Flick stated, “I haven’t decided if he’ll start. It’s good to think about it tonight. We know his quality, but we also know Bernal’s. He did very well in the last match, and I’m really enjoying him.”
Flick expressed pleasure in the impressive contributions from both Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal, highlighting their skill sets. He mentioned, “Frenkie can play in several positions, not just as a ‘6’. They’re similar. Frenkie has more experience, but both are confident and decisive on the ball.”
He also provided insights into Jules Kounde’s recovery process, commenting, “We were hoping he’d recover faster, but we have to take it easy. We need to keep an eye on his progress. Hopefully, he’ll be available after the international break.”
Run-ins with Atletico Madrid Last Season
Last season, Barcelona faced Atletico Madrid six times across various competitions, including La Liga and the Champions League. The Blaugrana achieved a favorable head-to-head record, winning four matches, yet they were eliminated by Atletico in both the Copa del Rey semi-finals and the Champions League quarter-finals.
Flick dismissed the relevance of these past encounters, stating, “That’s the past. It’s not relevant to me. What’s important is what happens tomorrow, when we play against a fantastic team. We want to win to be top of the table during the international break. We’ve worked hard, and we want to show our strengths.”
Emphasizing the importance of claiming victory at the Metropolitano, Flick remarked, “Every match is important. In LaLiga, we have three or four excellent teams that are close together in the standings. It’s important to win at the Metropolitano; that’s our objective. We’ll do everything we can to win, but they’re a fantastic team with a superb coach. It will be a demanding match.”
On the Squad
Flick praised club captain Raphinha, who recently extended his contract with Barcelona until 2030. “There are no words for Raphinha. It’s the best situation for the club and for Raphinha. I’m grateful for his renewal. He’s a fantastic player, our captain, and very important for our club,” he said.
He also commended summer signing Anthony Gordon for his contributions, stating, “He gives us a lot on the ball. He maintains possession and doesn’t make mistakes. I think he could be a little more selfish in the final third. He’s done very well in the last few matches and has raised his level. I’m happy with what he’s doing.”
Flick highlighted the significant impact of youngster Brian Farinas, who has performed admirably at right-back, saying, “He’s never played there (right-back) but physically and technically he’s a great player. Thanks to La Masia, for how they educate the players and the attitude they have. He has Lamine on his flank, and he does very well. He has the level to play this match. Against Aston Villa, he played at a top level. He could play this Saturday.”
When asked about Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, a player Barcelona pursued over the summer, Flick kept the focus on his current squad, stating, “Julian is a fantastic player, but he plays for Atletico, and I have to focus on my team.” Upon further questioning about their pursuit of Alvarez, he added, “I don’t talk about players who are on other teams. I focus on my players, and I’m very happy with the team’s situation. We have many options in attack. There’s nothing more to say.”
