Barcelona need to learn from previous Atleti mistakes says Flick

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has said that his side must learn the lessons from their previous two meetings against Atletico Madrid, but the result on Sunday will not define the LaLiga title race.

Flick's side are currently top of LaLiga with a game in hand, but are level on points with second-placed Real Madrid while Atleti are just a point behind ahead of Saturday's fixtures.

Barcelona were beaten 2-1 at home to Atletico Madrid in the reverse fixture in December, while they 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 told reporters.

"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 come into this on the back of their controversial penalty defeat at home at Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

But Flick downplayed any talk of their hosts lagging physically following the exertions of playing extra time and penalties on Wednesday.

"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 on Wednesday, with his converted penalty being disallowed after he touched the ball twice while falling over. Flick, meanwhile, 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."