Flick Reflects On Pedri, Olmo, Raphinha, De Jong And Gerard Martín Following Barça’s 3-1 Victory Over Atlético

On Tuesday night at Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona delivered a spirited comeback to defeat Atlético Madrid 3-1, strengthening their position at the top of La Liga under Hansi Flick. Despite conceding early, Barça reacted with goals from Raphinha and Dani Olmo before Ferran Torres sealed the victory in stoppage time - a performance that highlighted the squad’s depth, belief and growing resilience.

After the match, Flick praised his players’ maturity, pressing intensity and collective focus. He noted that the return of several key players played a crucial role in the result and also shared updates on current injuries. He described Raphinha as “very important,” applauding the winger’s energy and influence on the press. Addressing Pedri’s return from injury, Flick said: “He’s fine, a little tired,” acknowledging the midfielder’s quick return to rhythm and impact. He also confirmed that Olmo is dealing with a shoulder issue that will be assessed further.

Flick highlighted defensive positives as well, particularly the performance of young centre-back Gerard Martín, who completed the full 90 minutes. The coach praised Martín’s defensive composure and ability to build play from deep - a reflection of his growing trust in youth during a demanding season.

The victory carried added significance given the match context. Atlético struck first through a well-worked move finished by Álex Baena and looked poised to build on their early advantage. But Barcelona responded with composure, equalising through Raphinha after a precise pass from Pedri. Once they absorbed Atlético’s pressure, Barça dictated the tempo with controlled possession, intelligent movement and sharp attacking combinations.

In the second half, Olmo capitalised on a defensive error to put Barcelona ahead with a composed finish. Later, Torres wrapped up the win with a clinical counter-attack goal created by Alejandro Balde in added time - a moment that validated Flick’s belief in the squad’s depth and ability to handle high-pressure situations.

Despite the win, Flick remained grounded. He noted that while the team “did what we had talked about before the game … we can improve many things,” especially in finishing chances and tightening defensive control. Even so, he called the match “a step forward” and “one of our best performances,” emphasising how the victory boosts confidence ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.

With this result, Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga while dealing a major setback to Atlético Madrid’s title ambitions. For Barça, the night was more than three points - it was a statement of character, tactical maturity and squad depth. For Flick, it reaffirmed that a balanced group with returning stars, emerging young talent and defined roles can compete at the highest level.