Copa del Rey / Barça – Atlético Madrid: Diego Simeone's devious plan to bring down Hansi Flick

Europe 03 March 2026 at 06:49

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

03.03.26 FT Copa del Rey Spain

Barcelona

3

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Atletico Madrid

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After being swept aside 4-0 at the Metropolitano, FC Barcelona heads into the second leg against Atlético Madrid facing a massive deficit and holding onto only the faintest hope. Inspired by a dazzling Ademola Lookman performance in the first leg, the Colchoneros struck hard. But in Catalonia, there’s no talk of surrender despite the scale of the challenge.

Read also: Barça: Hansi Flick, the excellent news about his future

Flick believes, Simeone locks it down

"Everyone knows what awaits us tomorrow, we’re four goals behind. We want to make the impossible possible," declared Hansi Flick.

"It will be important not to concede and to believe in our chances. You always have to believe," he added.

On the other side, Diego Simeone is reportedly preparing a 5-4-1 setup to lock down access to the final. Atlético is aiming for an eleventh Copa del Rey title—a trophy they haven’t lifted since 2013.

Related teams and leagues

Barcelona

Atletico Madrid

Copa del Rey Spain