Hansi Flick rumbled after the defense of Barcelona in their fascinating 4-4 draw with Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey Semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
Barcelona bounced back from two early goals at the break, with Pedri, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez on goal for the hosts.
Robert Lewandowski added Barcelona's fourth 16 minutes of time, only for Quickfire goals from Marcos Llorente and Alexander Sorloth to seal a dramatic draw.
Barcelona was better off the draw and recorded an expected goals of 3.59 of their 16 shots compared to Atletico's 1.51 of their 10 goal attempts.
But Flick was left furious full-time, which suggested that it was unacceptable for a club like Barcelona to give four goals, and said his side should learn how to close games well.
“I warned the players not to admit opportunities,” said Flick the Spanish public television. “I am disappointed about the result because it was good to see how we managed to fight back after the early admitted goals and, even after we had opened a 4-2 lead, we made many opportunities.
“But it was all in vain, because we left them back in the last few minutes. We had opportunities to go to the second stage with an advantage. We will have to talk a lot in the dressing room about the goals we have admitted. We must correct the mistakes.
“The team is very young, there is a lot of room for improvement, but that is not an excuse. They scored four goals against us, and it's just too much for our standards.”
8 – This is the first match in every competition between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with at least eight goals since a 5-4 victory for the Azulgrana, also in the Copa del Rey, in March 1997.
Spectacle. pic.twitter.com/R83OH2OQKH
– Optajose (@Optajose) 25 February 2025
Flick, however, supplemented Atletico for their Vechtgeest during the collision in the camp, but had praise for his players after the exciting collision.
Barcelona's head coach praised the attack, with Raphinha, the highlight that more opportunities (four) created than anyone else on the field on Tuesday.
“I am frustrated but still happy with many things I have seen in the game. But the admitted goals cannot happen,” said Flick.
“Atletico played very well, we confronted with a good and strong team that it all had outside.
“But I think we dominated the game for 80 minutes, but in the last few minutes we didn't defend it properly. I couldn't believe the fourth goal.
“At least I think the fans enjoyed it because it was a struggle. Atletico has a fantastic team. The most important thing is that the team has confidence to move forward.
“We have to be positive, we don't throw in the towel and we are convinced that we can win the second stage.”
Barcelona returns to Laliga Action against Real Sociedad on Sunday, where their opponents accepted Real Madrid on Wednesday in the other Copa del Rey Semi-final.
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