Barca's dressing room in turmoil after 0-4 defeat

Barcelona players are said to be dissatisfied with Hansi Flick's strategy after their 0-4 defeat against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

According to The Athletic, during an unscheduled internal meeting, coach Hansi Flick delivered some stern words to the players, questioning their attitude and intensity, especially regarding their first-half performance in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.

From the players' side, they openly expressed their views to the coach. Specifically, the team felt that continuing to use the familiar high pressing combined with a very high defensive line was not the right choice in that match's circumstances. They believed the actual conditions on the pitch did not support such a risky approach.

Sources say this is not the first time a similar situation has occurred this season, prompting the players to speak out clearly. Previously, in the Champions League match against Club Brugge last November, Barca struggled to secure a 3-3 draw in a game they lacked control over. One month before that, they lost 1-4 away to Sevilla in La Liga, with a scenario quite similar to the recent match at the Metropolitano.

Many squad members believe the defeat to Atletico highlighted how difficult it is to smoothly operate the coach's tactical system without two key players, Pedri and Raphinha, who are sidelined with hamstring injuries and play crucial roles in the team's style.

Meanwhile, Atletico was well-prepared to counter. Diego Simeone's side impressed by suffocating Barca's playing space and exploiting clever movements from the backline and deceptive attacking plays to break through the opponent's defense. This was evident as the Madrid team led 4-0 by halftime.

Nevertheless, Barca players do not intend to abandon entirely the philosophy that brought significant success, including last season's domestic treble. What they desire is more flexibility and pragmatism in crucial matches or against specific opponents, along with tactical adjustments better suited to the current squad.

Looking ahead, the team will visit Girona in La Liga, where they currently top the table, one point ahead of Real Madrid. According to sources, the coaching staff and players will continue discussions over the weekend, including video analysis of the Atletico defeat, to learn lessons before the upcoming game.