){kind=small}
LaLiga){kind=small}
RSO
){kind=logo}
OVI
){kind=small}
Serie A){kind=logo}
JUV
){kind=small}
COMO
){kind=small}
Bundesl){kind=logo}
KOE
){kind=logo}
TSG
){kind=small}
FCB
){kind=logo}
SGE
){kind=logo}
FCU
){kind=logo}
B04
){kind=logo}
WOB
){kind=logo}
FCA
){kind=small}
Premier){kind=small}
AVL
){kind=logo}
LEE
){kind=small}
BRE
){kind=logo}
BHA
){kind=logo}
CHE
){kind=small}
BUR
){kind=small}
NPFL){kind=logo}
WWF
){kind=small}
WIK
){kind=small}
RST
){kind=logo}
BET
){kind=small}
RAY
){kind=small}
Ligue 1){kind=logo}
LENS
){kind=small}
ASM
){kind=logo}
LEC
){kind=small}
INT
){kind=small}
RBL
){kind=small}
BVB
){kind=small}
WHU
){kind=small}
BOU
){kind=small}
OSA
){kind=logo}
RMA
){kind=small}
TFC
){kind=logo}
PAR
){kind=logo}
CGL
){kind=small}
LAZ
){kind=small}
MCI
){kind=logo}
NEW
AFCON 2025
)
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick remains unsatisfied despite his side claiming a place in the Copa del Rey semifinals
Barcelona are through to the Copa del Rey semi-finals, but Hansi Flick was in no mood to celebrate without reservations.
After a tense 2–1 win over giant-killers Albacete, the Barça boss admitted his side made life harder than necessary by wasting a host of clear chances.
Flick points to wasteful finishing as key concern
Despite doing enough to book a place in the last four, Flick was quick to zero in on Barcelona’s biggest flaw on the night: their finishing.
The German coach felt the tie should have been wrapped up long before the closing stages, but poor decision-making and missed opportunities kept Albacete alive.
“Yet again, we missed so, so many chances,” Flick said. “We are missing so much chances in recent games and we have to improve. We have to improve in finishing.”
Flick acknowledged the achievement of reaching the semi-finals but stressed that cup games can quickly turn dangerous when dominance is not converted into goals.
Against an Albacete side already responsible for major upsets in the competition, Barcelona’s lack of ruthlessness nearly came back to haunt them.
Yamal shines as Albacete push Barcelona to the limit
The match itself followed a familiar pattern for Barcelona. They controlled possession and territory early on but struggled to break down Albacete’s organised defensive block.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 39th minute when Lamine Yamal finished calmly at the far post after a slick team move.
Barcelona doubled their lead shortly after the restart, with Ronald Araújo powering home a header from a Marcus Rashford corner to make it 2–0. At that point, the tie looked settled. However, Albacete refused to fold and grew in belief as the game wore on.
Javi Moreno’s 73rd-minute strike reignited the contest and set up a nervy finale, forcing Barcelona to defend deep and rely on a crucial goal-line clearance to survive. In the end, quality told, and Barça held on to progress, relieved but aware there is plenty to fix before the semi-finals.