Hansi Flick: 'A final before a final'

Hansi Flick faces one of the most demanding matches since his arrival in Barcelona. The German is on the verge of his second final of this season, but to achieve it, he will have to win the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano. Not an easy task, but it's something he has already done just two weeks ago.

"It's a final before a final" he told his Tuesday press conference. "It'll be a different game, we all want to play in the final." As usual, he was honest, straight and to the point with his answers.

Cubarsí and Raphinha ready

Raphinha has no played since returning from the international break and Cubarsí has just played a mere ten minutes against Girona, but Flick says he'll be needing both for this one, saying that "we are preparing for 90 minutes but if it goes to 120 and penalties we're ready for that too.

He has yet to make a definitive decision on his replacement for the injured Dani Olmo, but insists that "whoever plays, he knows what he has to do. Fine the right place amid their defence, press... It's always that. We have options and I have faith in all my players."

He certainly expects a physical encounter, because "that's how Atlético normally play. It's their style, they're intense and aggressive. I like the way they play."