Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa hasn’t forgotten Hansi Flick’s comments mocking the club and returned the favor during the press conference ahead of Saturday’s match against Real Sociedad.
A journalist asked Flick about Barcelona’s deserved qualification for the Copa del Rey semi-finals, given that they had faced second-division teams in the previous three rounds. Flick sarcastically replied, “Second division? Well, ask Real Madrid.”
The German was referring to Real Madrid’s elimination from the competition by Albacete in the round of 16, a statement that Madrid fans considered a clear provocation and mockery of the capital’s giants.
Barça lost the first leg of their semi-final against Atlético Madrid 4-0, and Arbeloa seized the opportunity to get back at Flick.
A journalist asked Arbeloa if the Atlético match might have shown that Barcelona is beatable, to which the coach responded, “Ask Barcelona and Flick about that.” Real Madrid and Barcelona are competing for the Spanish league title this season, with the Catalan club currently leading the competition by a single point over Los Blancos.
