Hansy Flick did not hide his frustration after Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid at Camp Nou in the 10th round of La Liga. The German coach emphasized the grueling schedule and constant travel, noting that his players’ lack of freshness was evident in their performance.
“Do you only watch the games? We play here, then somewhere else, and sometimes there are only two days between matches,” was his characteristic response when asked about his team’s physical condition.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Flick cited as an example a recent trip by Barcelona to Seville, during which the team remained on the plane for three hours before it was finally decided to return to the hotel. The “Blaugrana” spent the night there and then departed directly for Paris on Monday, adding even more strain to an already demanding schedule.
The Barcelona coach made it clear, however, that he does not want to use these circumstances as an excuse for the loss. In fact, he admitted that he prefers to discuss such issues after victories, so that his comments are not interpreted as an attempt to shirk responsibility.
What troubled him most in the Clásico was the lack of energy and freshness. With three more games remaining before the break for national team duty, Flick wants to place special emphasis on his players’ recovery.
His plan calls for two days of rest for the international players, while the rest of the squad will continue their training schedule. At the same time, the team will have Tuesday off before beginning preparations for their next match.
Flick also sent a message to his players, emphasizing that recovery is not solely the responsibility of the coaching staff. Sleep, nutrition, and proper physical care, as he pointed out, are essential for the team to meet the demands of the season.
As for the Clásico itself, the German coach admitted his disappointment, though he felt that Barcelona improved significantly after halftime. After the score was tied at 1-1, the Catalans took control for a while, but were unable to complete the comeback.
At the same time, he acknowledged Real Madrid’s effective defensive performance, which prevented Barcelona from finding the open spaces they were looking for.
*photo source: AP
