Flick says tie not over after Atlético thrash Barça in Copa del Rey | OneFootball

Atlético thrashed Barcelona in the Copa del Rey at the Metropolitano, leaving the visitors subdued. Flick insisted the tie remains alive and said they will fight in the second leg despite the difficulty, according to El Periódico Mediterráneo.

He admitted a poor first half, said Atlético were far better and that the display was not the team he wants. At half-time he asked for a different game, and he accepted but disagreed with the offside that cancelled Cubarsí’s finish.

Eric García called the first half very tough and put the opener down to bad luck, adding Atlético started sharper and are hard to chase once ahead. He said Barça left too many spaces, queried the offside frame and noted his VAR-reviewed dismissal, saying he slipped, while lamenting recent calls going against them.

Diego Simeone praised his side’s interpretation, conviction and calm, calling the first half outstanding and expecting a Barça reaction after the break. He lauded Griezmann as a club legend and highlighted Julián’s pass to Lookman for the third goal before the forward also scored, while urging against complacency.

Marcos Llorente was cautious, saying nothing is decided and that an early goal away could change everything. He described a frantic first half, Atlético compact then breaking into space, and said everything clicked in attack, adding that Julián’s goal should lift the group.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo