Hansi Flick: 'We are looking forward to playing against Atlético Madrid'

According to Barça coach Hansi Flick: "We are ready". In his pre-game press conference ahead of Sunday's Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona, the German highlighted that his team were prepared for the challenge and that a win "would give the team a lot of confidence but there is a lot of league left." In the Metropolitano third placed Atlético take on leaders Barça after victory earlier in the campaign at the Estadi Olímpic against Flick's team. "We have to be focused from the beginning to the final whistle. We have played them twice already in great matches but we have to learn from our mistakes," continued the coach, referring also to the 4-4 draw in February in the Copa del Rey in Montjuïc. 

Lesson learned 

"The team seems really focused. We are looking forward to the game and it will be tough, but we are ready for it," explained Flick before going on to outline the dangers presented by Atlético. "They are a fantastic team and in great form with experienced players. We played two great games against them and we have to be focused until the end. In the first game we were not as focused as we should have been and in the second we should have been more aware. We have to move forward as a team; when you make a mistake they can really hurt you." 

A long way to go

The talk is of Sunday's game being a crucial one but Hansi Flick tried to put it into perspective. "There is a lot of La Liga left. It's another game and it's obvious that if we win it will be a confidence boost. If we are all at our best, thEn we have a good chance of beating a team as good as Atlético. La Liga has some really good teams," reasoned the Barça coach. 

The game in the Metropolitano is the last before the upcoming international break. "It's not easy to manage the situation, but national teams are also important. We have time for the players to rest," added Flick before concluding that the players were more than prepared for Sunday's test.