Report: Hansi Flick plotted secret tactical plan to outwit Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick demonstrated his tactical acumen once again by secretly preparing a plan to outwit Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final clash at the Metropolitano.

According to a recent report from Javier Gascon in Mundo Deportivo, Flick anticipated Atletico’s defensive strategy and designed a well-thought-out approach to dismantle their low block.

After the thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg, Flick correctly predicted that Diego Simeone’s side would adopt a cautious, defensive setup from the outset.

With Atletico likely to sit deep and wait for Barcelona to make errors in possession, Flick understood the challenge ahead. B

reaking down such a compact, aggressive defensive structure is never straightforward, and Barcelona have faced similar struggles against various opponents this season.

Flick’s tactical masterclass

Central to the strategy of attacking tight spaces was Lamine Yamal, whose presence on the field offered Barcelona the spark they needed to penetrate Atletico’s defensive wall.

Hansi Flick used Yamal and Torres to disrupt Atletico Madrid’s defence. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Flick’s approach centred around utilising Yamal’s creativity to find Ferran Torres or other teammates exploiting space.

The idea was to force Atletico’s centre-backs into difficult positions, dragging them forward and leaving gaps for Barcelona’s attackers to exploit.

This well-rehearsed tactic paid off as Ferran’s goal broke Atletico’s defensive resilience, providing Barcelona the edge they needed.

Flick’s preparation and ability to anticipate Simeone’s tactics made all the difference.

While Atletico had pressed aggressively in their previous 4-2 La Liga defeat to Barcelona, Flick accurately predicted that Simeone would take a more cautious approach this time.

This victory highlights Flick’s growing reputation as a tactician who can adapt to different scenarios and find ways to overcome difficult opponents.

It also underlines Barcelona’s progress under his guidance, particularly when it comes to handling teams that choose to defend deep and rely on counter-attacking opportunities.