Hansi Flick demands fight‑back as Barcelona chase huge Copa del Rey comeback

By SABC Sport
3rd March 2026

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has made it clear his players must believe in themselves and "make the impossible possible" as they prepared to face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi‑final on Tuesday night.

Barcelona trail 4-0 from the first leg and must overturn that deficit at Spotify Camp Nou to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.

Flick spoke confidently but honestly about the scale of the task ahead at his pre-match press conference. "We are four goals behind, and we have to make the impossible possible. That is the objective," he said. "It's not easy. However, we will not give up."

He stressed the need to score early and to defend well. "In each half we need to score two goals and keep a clean sheet. We must believe in our strength."

The Catalan side come into the tie on a strong attacking run, having scored seven goals in their last two matches in La Liga and sit top of the league's scoring charts with 71 goals this season. Teenager Lamine Yamal was a standout star with a hat-trick in the weekend win over Villarreal, and the young winger has sent a rallying message to supporters, urging fans to back the team and believe a comeback is possible.

However, Barcelona will be without key striker Robert Lewandowski after he suffered a fractured eye socket in the Villarreal match. Flick admitted losing such an influential player was a setback but said the squad have to adapt. "We haven't had much luck. Losing a player like him and the others who cannot be there is a problem, but the team handles it well," he said.

Flick also underlined the tactical approach needed to challenge Atletico. "We must press them, win the duels and make things difficult for them. We cannot lose possession, as they are very dangerous in transition. We have to play as one," he insisted.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone has not taken the threat lightly, warning that Barcelona's attacking ability still makes them dangerous even from behind and highlighting the threat of players like Yamal.

With everything to play for and a vocal home crowd behind them, Barcelona must deliver a near-perfect performance to keep their hopes of defending the Copa del Rey alive.