Hansi Flick concerned by Barcelona players’ fitness ahead of Atletico Madrid showdown

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has admitted that the late grind of Saturday’s 4-1 derby win over Espanyol has left him worried about the readiness of key players for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

The Catalans were cruising at 2-0 until the visitors trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the 86th minute, forcing Flick to keep starters such as Pedri and Lamine Yamal on the pitch longer than planned. The German tactician conceded that the unexpected tension prevented him from rotating as intended, a scenario that could have repercussions only 72 hours before the trip to Madrid.

“Yes, but we managed the minutes and, in the end, the story of the game was different to what we expected after it went 2-1,” Flick told Diario AS. “We have two days to recover. Players usually know how to recover in that time. I think we’ll be ready for Tuesday.”

The victory restored Barcelona’s nine-point cushion over Real Madrid with seven La Liga fixtures remaining, yet Flick refused to entertain talk of a domestic coronation before the title is mathematically secure.

“It’s not done. We have to do our homework. We can’t say it’s already done. This attitude is wrong and I don’t accept it,” he stressed. “Until it’s tied up and well tied, we’ll have to play our best football.”

Flick found solace in Ferran Torres’ brace, the Spaniard’s first goals after a barren spell. “I’m happy for him. He is in a good moment. I see it in training. Logically, he is happy with the goals,” the coach said.

Looking ahead to the continental challenge, Barcelona must overturn a two-goal deficit against an Atletico side that has already demonstrated its potency in the first leg. Flick, however, believes the tie remains alive.

“We don’t need a miracle, just play our best football. And we can do that,” he insisted. “I know Atletico are a fantastic team, but so are we. We will fight and I’m sure the fans will support us there and be ready.”

With the squad’s resilience tested by a lengthy injury list this season, Flick praised the mentality that has carried the club to the brink of both domestic and European success.

“I always think positively. I think about what we’ve achieved so far and it’s fantastic considering all the injuries we’ve had; and that we are now recovering,” he added.

All eyes now turn to the Spanish capital, where Barcelona’s season could hinge on whether two days of recovery prove sufficient for Flick’s fatigued stars.