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Barca’s Flick Happy To Have Players Back For Atletico Clash

Barca moved to the top of La Liga with Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Alaves, although Atletico in fourth are only three points back.

By Donatus Anichukwueze
Updated December 1, 2025
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Barcelona’s German coach Hans-Dieter Flick speaks during a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on March 10, 2025. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)

 

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he was relieved to have some injured players returning to fitness ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash against Atletico Madrid.

Barca moved to the top of La Liga with Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of Alaves, although Atletico in fourth are only three points back.

Pedri made his first team return as a second-half substitute on Saturday after more than a month out with a hamstring problem.

He is in line to start against Diego Simeone’s rugged outfit, as is midfield partner Frenkie de Jong, who missed the Alaves match for family reasons.

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“I’m really happy. The players are coming back, maybe we can increase our level. This is the most important thing,” Flick said on Monday, although he confirmed that Uruguayan centre-back Ronald Araujo is out.

The German has come under fire this seen for a series of abject displays, not least in the Catalans’ highest profile matches — a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea and 2-1 reverses against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite being top of the table, Flick admitted that Barca need to improve.

“I know we are not (in) top (form) like last season,” he said. “But we have potential. And we have to increase our level.”

AFP

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