Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised referee Juan Martínez Munuera for 'good communication' after Thursday's 4-0 Copa del Rey semifinal first-leg defeat to Atlético Madrid. Flick initially criticized the match officials after a disallowed Pau Cubarsí goal and sent a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation and Refereeing Committee.

Despite the heavy loss, Flick visited Martínez Munuera's dressing room post-match to discuss the offside decision in a 'calm atmosphere.' The German coach emphasized that the referee wasn't to blame for the defeat and stressed that Barcelona must focus on improving their quality, mentality, and attitude. Barcelona now turns attention to Monday's LaLiga clash against Girona.

Flick acknowledged the team's poor performance, noting Atlético dominated every duel and one-on-one situation. With the second leg not until March 3, Barcelona dropped to second in the league after Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad. The Catalan giants can reclaim first place with a victory over their regional rivals. Marcus Rashford remains sidelined with a minor knee problem, while Raphinha's return is crucial given Barcelona's strong record with the Brazilian in the lineup.