Flick Keeps Feet on Ground After Barcelona Reach Copa del Rey Final

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is staying focused on the team's next LaLiga match despite reaching the Copa del Rey final, saying 'dreaming is allowed but first we need to work really hard'.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tempered expectations of a potential treble after his team secured a spot in the Copa del Rey final with a narrow 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid. Flick emphasized the need for caution, despite Barcelona's impressive 21-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Barcelona's outstanding form has sparked excitement among fans, who are witnessing some of the best football of the season. The team remains unbeaten in 2025, a unique feat among Europe's top-five leagues. However, Flick urged his players to adopt a next-game mentality, stressing that the club has little room for error in their pursuit of three titles.

🎙️ HANSI FLICK: “Absolutely, it's not done. But as I said also, we are fighting. We try everything to win titles, and I think we are on [the right path]. The team is really doing great.” #AtletiBarça pic.twitter.com/5OZc6BBgIw

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 3, 2025

Flick's cautious approach serves as a reminder that Barcelona still face significant challenges ahead. With the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid looming, Flick's focus on maintaining a level head and avoiding complacency will be crucial in driving the team forward.

Hansi Flick emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present, rather than getting ahead of themselves with the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. “I know everyone wants us to talk about the final, it's a 'Clasico', I get that, but I don't live in the past or in the future and our focus should be Betis, who are our next opponents in LaLiga,” Flick stated in a press conference.

Flick acknowledged Barcelona's strong current form but cautioned against complacency. “Yes, we are in a great moment but I've been in this business enough time to know how everything can change in a heartbeat, so we need to keep focused,” he said. Flick encouraged his team to stay grounded and work hard to maintain their momentum. “Dreaming is allowed but first we need to work really hard and stay focused so we can keep that dream alive.”

Barcelona currently sits atop the LaLiga standings with 66 points, holding a three-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid trails by a further six points, with nine games remaining in the title race. As the domestic season unfolds, both Barcelona and Real Madrid will also face significant challenges in the Champions League quarter-finals, with Real traveling to London to face Arsenal and Barcelona hosting Borussia Dortmund.

🚨 FULL TIME!!!!!!!!!! 🚨

INTO THE COPA DEL REY FINAL! pic.twitter.com/Dy4GOTQdaX

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 2, 2025

The highly anticipated Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid is set to take place on April 26, followed by a crucial LaLiga match at Barcelona on May 11, which could potentially decide the league title.

Hansi Flick chose to focus on the triumph at hand, rather than looking ahead to the upcoming finals. “Tonight I'll stick with this formidable win which made me really happy.” Flick said, beaming with pride. He praised his team, expressing admiration for their performance. “Everyone can be proud of this team, we coaches are proud of this team.”

Flick reflected on his expectations for the team since his arrival last summer. “I am always positive, so I won't deny that I had great expectations for this team when I arrived last summer,” he revealed. He commended his team's bravery and resilience, highlighting the challenges of securing a clean sheet at Atletico Madrid's stadium. “I told them that I was very happy, that if we played like we did that day we would win. We were brave and we knew how to suffer. It's not easy to keep a clean sheet in this stadium, Atletico are one of the best teams in Europe. So we should be really proud.”