Flick: “We have to wait and see, but I think Lamine Yamal will be able to play against Atlético”

The Copa del Rey has given Hansi Flick a great game against Atlético, in the first leg of the semi-finals, for his 60th birthday, which he celebrates this Monday . A tie against Cholo Simeone. An opportunity to beat a team that beat him at Montjuïc in La Liga and to get closer to an important final. “I am a year older than yesterday. It is not a big deal. It is a bit different because of the number. I have not slept much last night, maybe it is a thing of age,” he joked. “But I am fine, I am healthy, I have a fantastic family and I am in a wonderful club.”

The gift that the German coach would really like to receive would be to be able to count on Lamine Yamal for the match against the colchoneros. The footballer did not train with the group yesterday , still in pain from the stamp he suffered on his left foot, which opened a wound. Flick did not rule out the winger. “We have to wait 24 hours but I think he will be able to play tomorrow. I have positive feelings, also because of what the doctor has told me,” he revealed, with a certain optimism.

In Spain, one-on-one is very popular, it is a special feature and the fans like it, so we must take care of it” Hansi Flick Barcelona Coach

The foul on Lamine Yamal, who was unable to play in the match against Atletico on 21 December (1-2) due to injury, was not even a foul for Cordero Vega. Flick did not ask for special protection for the Barça star but did advise the referees to take care of all the players. “I am not saying that the referees have to specifically protect one player, be it Lamine or Raphinha, but all of them. It has also happened to us with Dani Olmo or Casadó, who received hard fouls that were not yellow cards. There should be more sensitivity. If they see a yellow card, the defenders might think twice before committing another foul. In Spain, one-on-one is very popular, it is a special characteristic and the fans like it, so we must take care of it,” he argued.

This was not the only message he sent to the governing bodies of Spanish football. He also referred to the one-day delay of the Liga match against Real Sociedad, scheduled for March 1 and now set for the 2nd, when the team travels to Lisbon on the 4th. “From what I have heard, Benfica's match has been cancelled and they have a whole week. It is LaLiga that makes the calendar, it does not depend on us, it is not in our hands. In Germany we can speak with the league and the Federation. But until now we have managed it well and I hope it continues to be that way,” he resigned.

Tebas on the Olmo case? Now he can play and that's what counts. I'm surprised by some of the things that happen in Spain and the club." Hansi Flick Barcelona Coach

The coach preferred not to respond directly to Javier Tebas for his statements about Dani Olmo not finishing the championship with Barça. “I don’t want to comment on that. Now he can play and that’s what counts. This is the situation and we’ll see what happens. I’m surprised by some of the things that happen in Spain and the club,” he confessed.

The attacking midfielder was key to the victory in Las Palmas . And according to Flick, he can now start. “For me, the important thing is that he can start the match. We have to take care of him and that is what we are doing. Las Palmas' goal is an important goal for us.”

Benfica's league match has been cancelled and they have a whole week left. It is LaLiga that makes the schedule, it does not depend on us. In Germany, you can talk to the league and the Federation." Hansi Flick Barcelona Coach

Olmo could be one of the new additions to host and attack Atlético, a match that he predicts will be “tough” and for which he hopes the stadium will be full. “They are a great team. They have the best defence and they have good players in attack,” he analysed. Flick still remembers the 1-2 of December, when Pedri put the Blaugrana ahead but De Paul and Sorloth, in the 96th minute, came back. “From that day I remember that we can play great football. We played at a very high level. We could have scored one or two more goals. When we have opportunities, we have to score them,” he stressed, before assuring that they will try to win in the first leg at Montjuïc as well as in the return leg at the Metropolitano. “For us that does not change and we go for it in every game.”