Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated Tuesday his staff will likely be judged on what silverware they win this season, no matter how entertaining their soccer is.
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The Catalan giants are preventing for a possible quadruple, after successful the Spanish Tremendous Cup in January and are enjoying with the aptitude and magnificence they’ve lacked in current seasons.
Barcelona face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg conflict, sitting first in La Liga and within the Champions League quarter-finals.
“I think the team improved a lot, so this is also what I said to them, I appreciate that about until now.
“But it surely’s soccer, and ultimately what counts is your place, the titles if they’re attainable.”
Barcelona have scored four goals or more in 20 of the 45 matches they have played across all competitions this season.
They drew 4-4 with Atletico in the first leg of the Copa semi in February and Flick said Raphinha and Pau Cubarsi were fit to play after resting against Girona in La Liga on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned to training this week after a long injury lay-off following knee surgery, although it will be some time before he can compete with Wojciech Szczesny for the gloves.
“He was on the pitch at the moment and we’ll see, step-by-step, it is regular, we have now to attend,” said Flick.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone said losing against Barcelona would not count as a failure for his side.
The Rojiblancos were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and are nine points behind Barca in La Liga, with the Copa representing their last realistic chance of silverware this season.
“Failure could be not making an attempt, he who tries, doesn’t fail,” said Simeone.
“For me it has been an excellent season, we’re within the Copa del Rey semi-finals.”
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