“Hansi Flick Criticizes Barcelona’s Defensive Players: ‘They Are at Fault for the Loss'”

In the aftermath of Barcelona’s shocking defeat against Las Palmas, Hansi Flick did not shy away from addressing the glaring issues that plagued his team during the match. Speaking with a mix of disappointment and determination, the German coach offered a heartfelt and detailed analysis of what went wrong on the night—a performance that left fans and management questioning the team’s trajectory this season.

“A Bitter Disappointment”

Reflecting on the game, Flick said:

“We had possession and took plenty of shots, but defensively, it wasn’t comparable to our recent matches. We allowed too much space for the opposition. Today, it’s a major disappointment.”

Indeed, Barcelona dominated the game statistically, boasting an impressive 70% possession. They created chances, won corners, and pressed their opponents relentlessly. However, the lack of precision in front of goal proved costly.

“We lacked sharpness,” Flick admitted. “With 70% possession and several opportunities, the issue was that there were no results to back it up. It’s a reality we must accept, even if it’s incredibly disappointing.”

Looking Forward to December

Despite the setback, Flick maintained a positive outlook:

“November is over, and now it’s time to focus on December. We remain optimistic because the team has quality and worked hard for 90 minutes, but today it wasn’t enough.”

The coach acknowledged the difficulties of managing a squad filled with young players. He noted that while substitutions were made to turn the game around, the changes didn’t yield the desired effect.

“It’s not easy with a young team. We tried to make adjustments to recover the game, but it didn’t work out. We play against Mallorca on Tuesday, and we must perform better than this.”

Disconnected Players and Lingering Injuries

One of Flick’s most striking comments addressed the mentality of certain players:

“If some players are disconnected, things don’t go well. We need to discuss this openly. I believe we have a good team, but matches like this happen. When I started here, I made it clear—there are no excuses.”

He also touched on the challenges of reintegrating players returning from injuries:

“It’s normal for players returning from injury to not be at 100%. Pedri, for example, was excellent today, contributing both defensively and offensively. He’s young and recovers quickly, but we can’t take such performances for granted.”

A Defensive Breakdown

Barcelona’s defense, often praised for its organization under Flick, faltered against Las Palmas. Flick was blunt in his critique:

“Defensively, what we did today was far from our previous performances. We’re very disappointed. We must connect better, both in defense and attack. We created opportunities, but we have to finish them. If you don’t score, that’s the main problem.”

Flick acknowledged the critical moments in the game, especially the second goal conceded:

“The second goal by Las Palmas killed us. The players tried, but we didn’t capitalize on our chances. It’s a match we should have won.”

Questionable Officiating and Tough Lessons

The coach didn’t hold back on expressing his frustrations with recent refereeing decisions, which he feels have contributed to the team’s struggles:

“At San Sebastián, we scored, but the referee called it offside. To this day, no one has explained where the offside was. Against Celta, we were leading 2-0, then a red card put us under pressure, and we made mistakes that allowed them to score twice. Every match presents different challenges.”

Flick emphasized that these lessons, while painful, are essential for the team’s growth:

“When we work together, we can beat anyone. But games like these teach us what needs improvement. It’s not easy because tomorrow is recovery, and Monday is pre-match preparation, leaving little time to train properly.”

Strategic Changes Ahead?

The defeat has prompted Flick to consider changes to his tactical approach:

“We may need to change certain things. There were errors on Las Palmas’ goals, but the problems began in attack, not just in defense.”

The coach highlighted the need for more clinical finishing and better defensive coordination, stressing the importance of capitalizing on chances to secure victories.

Flick also expressed hope for the return of Dani Olmo, whose absence was felt against Las Palmas:

“I hope Dani Olmo will be ready for the next games. He brings so much to the team. Today, we didn’t want to take risks with him because it wasn’t clear. Hopefully, he’ll be available on Tuesday.”

Remaining Optimistic Despite Setbacks

In his closing remarks, Flick reiterated his belief in the team’s potential and his commitment to addressing their shortcomings:

“You have to trust the players, talk to them, and analyze what’s happening. When there’s a problem, you must focus on it. Matches teach us what needs to improve. It’s challenging, but we’re determined to get back on track.”

As Barcelona moves forward, Flick’s candid assessment underscores the challenges of rebuilding a team while competing at the highest level. The loss to Las Palmas is undoubtedly a setback, but with the right adjustments, the Blaugrana have the talent and determination to turn their season around.

The road ahead is tough, but as Flick put it: “When we work together, we can beat anyone.”