Hansi Flick comments on Pedri’s physical condition and the future of the team.

The atmosphere is electrically charged in Barcelona as the Catalan giant prepares for one of the most audacious challenges in its recent history. Coach Hansi Flick has not hidden his concern about the physical condition of prodigy Pedri González, who may not be at 100% for the crucial Copa del Rey match against Atlético de Madrid. The team needs a miracle, having to overturn a four-goal deficit after the first leg of the semi-final, a feat they have only accomplished once before.

Fans’ hopes were pinned on Pedri’s recovery, as he only played half an hour in the victory over Villarreal when he was expected to start. Flick said: “We have to manage him. We have many more games beyond this one. We’ll see how many minutes he can play.” The uncertainty surrounding Pedri’s presence is a concern that looms over Camp Nou, especially at a time when the team needs every drop of available talent.

As if the potential absence of Pedri were not enough, Barcelona will also have to cope with the absence of their star striker, Robert Lewandowski. The Polish forward suffered a fracture to his eye socket during the match against Villarreal, where the team triumphed 4-0. Lewandowski’s recovery is uncertain, but there is a faint hope that he may return in time for the upcoming clash with Athletic Club. “We have to accept and deal with it. It was an unfortunate situation because he turned and collided with the opponent’s shoulder, but fortunately he scored… It is always huge not to have players like him, Gavi, Frenkie, or Andreas, but the team always adapts well. This will give other players the opportunity to prove themselves,” Flick said.

The coach also commented on the possibilities of Ronald Araujo being a starter, given that the Uruguayan defender has only played once since his break for mental health reasons. “Yes, obviously. We have a team that is doing a good defensive job. Ronald too. We will see if he starts; I can’t say yet because I haven’t decided on the starting eleven. I know his strengths, but I have to think about it,” Flick stated.

Amid these uncertainties, the focus shifts to young talent Lamine Yamal, who shone by scoring his first hat-trick against Villarreal. “The important thing is for the team to be focused. Lamine’s first goal came from a great recovery and an excellent pass from Fermin. Lamine has the gift of being in the right place at the right time. He had a great moment after that, but we need everyone,” the coach emphasized.

With the match scheduled for 21:00 CEST at Camp Nou, Barcelona faces a monumental task, while Atlético de Madrid stands out as the clear favorite to advance to the final. On the other hand, Real Sociedad holds a one-goal advantage in the other semi-final against Athletic Club. The anticipation is palpable, and fans are ready for a spectacle that could go down in history.