Barça Alarms: Flick Rests Lamine, Pedri Has Niggle

Despite dominating possession with ten men, FC Barcelona suffered a 0-2 defeat to Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. Goals from Sørloth and Julián Álvarez secured the away victory, leaving Barcelona with a mountain to climb in Madrid.

Hansi Flick confirmed Pedri's substitution was due to "some discomfort" and revealed he rested Lamine Yamal after the 18-year-old faced excessive roughness. The German coach called for protection for the young star, comparing him to top players like Mbappé and Vinícius. Despite the defeat, Flick praised Gavi and Dani Olmo's "fantastic" performances as he looks to overturn the deficit in the second leg.