Flick hopes Barca has learned from Atleti games
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has said that his side must learn the lessons from its previous two meetings against Atletico Madrid, but the result on Monday (AEDT) will not define the LaLiga title race.
Flick's side is currently top of LaLiga with a game in hand, but us level on points with second-placed Real Madrid while Atleti was just a point behind ahead of Sunday's (AEDT) fixtures.
Barcelona was beaten 2-1 at home to Atletico Madrid in the reverse fixture in December, while it drew 4-4 in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg late last month, having been two goals ahead with six minutes to go.
"I think we played two great matches. We have to be focused from the beginning of the match to the end of the match," Flick said.
"In the first match we weren't as focused as we can be at the end of the match. In the second match, we weren't focused at the beginning and the end.
"We have to take care of that. If you make mistakes against Atletico, they can hurt you. This is what we have to defend."
"It's a long way to go in the league, it's one match. If we win it will be very good for our confidence and give us more belief.
"I always say LaLiga clubs know how to play football, it's not easy to win against such teams."
Atletico Madrid comes into this on the back of a controversial penalty defeat at home at Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
But Flick downplayed any talk of its host lagging physically after the exertions of playing extra-time and penalties in thatdefeat.
"For me, they have a fantastic team. It's not just 11-14 players. They have a really good team and this isn't a problem," he said.
"They are fit, they have experienced players in the team. I don't think it makes a difference."
Julian Alvarez became the centre of controversy with his converted penalty being disallowed after he touched the ball twice while falling over. Flick said that Alvarez was unlucky.
"It was an unlucky situation, I really feel for him," he said. "He's a fantastic player, he's one of the best strikers but it happens."
