Barcelona’s dream of a historic treble remains alive after securing a place in the Copa del Rey final with a 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano. Hansi Flick’s side are now in contention for La Liga, the Champions League, and domestic cup glory, but the German remains cautious despite growing optimism.
“Dreaming is allowed, but we have to stay focused and work hard,” Flick said after the match. “We will arrive home at three or four in the morning, sleep for a bit, and then train again. We have to recover and prepare for Betis.”
Barcelona’s improvement since the turn of the year has been remarkable. Flick highlighted the team’s growing confidence, pointing to the reverse fixture against Atletico in December as a turning point.
“After the break, we have improved a lot,” he said. “In every match and training session, you can see that the team believes in our style, in how we want to play.”
The victory at the Metropolitano showcased that transformation. Barcelona dominated the first half, pressing high and controlling possession. Flick praised their bravery before acknowledging that they had to dig deep after the break.
“We played very bravely in the first half,” he said. “In the second half, we suffered a bit, but all the defenders did a good job. Keeping a clean sheet here is not easy because Atletico are one of the best teams in Europe.”
Flick highlighted Atletico’s aerial threat and praised his players for neutralising it. “They are strong on the wings, with dangerous forwards inside, but we defended well,” he said. “That is also part of the game.”
The German also credited Eric Garcia’s impact in recent weeks. “After the winter break, I told Eric I wanted him to stay,” Flick revealed. “He has done great. He is a great person and a top professional.”
With a Clasico awaiting in the Copa del Rey final, talk of revenge for past defeats to Real Madrid has surfaced. Flick, however, refused to look too far ahead.
“I don’t live in the past, and I don’t live in the future,” he said. “If someone asks me about the final, I will say that the next match is against Betis.”
Barcelona’s treble hopes remain intact, but Flick knows better than to get carried away. The toughest tests are still to come.
