Flick: Lewandowski fully focused on Barca after World Cup failure

The Blaugrana are top of LaLiga ahead of facing Atletico Madrid on Saturday. They face Diego Simeone's team again in a two-legged Champions League quarter-final in the coming weeks.

"He's very professional, and the thought of not being able to play in the World Cup makes him sad, but that's part of life. Now he's focused on what we need from him in the coming weeks."

"There are no guilty parties. It's an injury, and that's part of football; we have to accept it," Flick said of Raphinha's injury, which occurred while he was on international duty with Brazil.

"It hasn't come at the best time, which saddens us, and now we'll have to see how we manage it, we have a lot of players.

"These things happen. He went to Brazil. Normally, we want players here [when they are injured]. We were talking and he was very down, and to help him relax and clear his head, we decided together with Deco he could spend a few days relaxing in Brazil with his family. Sometimes you have to make different decisions."

With Atletico sitting fourth in LaLiga, Flick was asked if he expects Saturday's clash to be the most relaxed of the upcoming three matches between the teams.

He said: "No, it's always tough against them, and they have one of the best coaches in the world.

"I like what I see of them and how they play. They have some of the best players in the world, like [Antoine] Griezmann. Their players are fantastic, and the atmosphere at their stadium is magnificent too."

Only against Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad (seven) has he scored more goals in the competition (also five against Girona and Real Madrid).

He has only netted more against Real Betis (nine) in his elite career in Spain and England (also five against Athletic Club).

Atletico boss Simeone has only won 11% of the 28 games he has managed against Barca in LaLiga (P28 W3 D7 L18), his lowest win percentage against a single opponent with at least two encounters in the competition.

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