'He was willing' - Hansi Flick hails Barcelona grit and reveals Frenkie de Jong SACRIFICE in vital victory over Atletico Madrid

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was full of praise for his side's resilience after they battled back to secure a vital 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid. The German coach highlighted a tactical shift that saw Frenkie de Jong take on an unfamiliar role to help navigate a difficult away fixture.

The Catalan giants initially struggled to assert their authority during the opening 45 minutes in the Spanish capital. Flick admitted his side afforded their hosts too much room, preventing the effective high press that has largely defined his tenure. However, a crucial equaliser just before the interval shifted the momentum, setting the stage for a vastly improved second-half display.

Reflecting on the early tactical issues, Flick told reporters: "In the first half we were too far off our opponents and couldn’t press effectively. But the match lasts 90 minutes: the first half wasn’t perfect, but the second half was. I’m happy, especially with the three points. It was important."

A standout storyline from the gritty away triumph was the versatility of De Jong. Anticipating fatigue within his ranks, Flick asked the Netherlands international to slot into an unnatural full-back role to help see out the contest.

The Barca boss shed light on his pre-match conversation with the midfielder. He revealed: "I spoke with Frenkie before the match about whether he could play in that position for fifteen minutes at full-back, until Bernie [Brian Farinas] got tired. And he said that if the team needed him, he was willing. Then we’d bring on Eric Garcia."

Snatching a victory away to Diego Simeone's men serves as a massive statement of intent from the Blaugrana. The German tactician awarded his players a "perfect ten" for their application, insisting that grinding out results in hostile environments is essential for domestic glory.

Reiterating his supreme confidence in the squad, Flick declared: "We have the quality to win these matches. I told you that you have to believe in this team. It’s not easy to win here at Atletico, and the team has done fantastically.

"We’re here, working every day to win titles, and that’s what we want. We were better in the second half. That’s football - a match lasts 90 minutes. I’m pleased - three more points, which is what matters."

Domestic action now pauses, presenting a fresh headache for the Barcelona coaching staff. Several key squad members will link up with their respective countries, prompting concerns over physical burnout heading into a gruelling winter schedule.

Flick fired a clear warning to national team managers regarding player welfare. "It’s part of our job: there’s an international break now, and the Spanish players are usually not here during those breaks," he said. "Managing playing time is crucial. It’s important that they do the same with their national teams."