Barcelona achieved a convincing 5-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla, securing their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Despite the outstanding result in just 30 minutes, there is growing discontent in the dressing room regarding coach Hansi Flick’s decisions during the match.
According to information from “El Nacional” newspaper, one of the main sources of this discontent was Flick’s management of substitutions, particularly regarding Pablo Torre. Although the match was firmly under Barcelona’s control, and there was no need for extra effort, Torre did not play a single minute. The young midfielder had hoped for a bigger chance to feature, especially in a game like this where the team was leading 4-0 at halftime.
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Flick’s decision to keep key players on the field longer than necessary surprised many. Some players felt it was the perfect opportunity to give minutes to those who don’t play regularly, with Torre being a primary candidate for more game time. He has the backing of several teammates who believe he deserves a more prominent role.
One of the most controversial details was Lamine Yamal playing the full 90 minutes. Given the result and his physical load, especially at just 17 years old, this was seen as unnecessary. Meanwhile, Torre, who has shown quality in previous opportunities, did not get any playing time in the match. These decisions upset many within the team, leading to questions about Flick’s management style.
After the game, Pablo Torre seemed visibly disappointed, with a serious expression and little participation in the celebrations with his teammates. Sources close to the dressing room indicate that Torre had expected to play and that Flick’s decision negatively impacted him.
Since his arrival at Barcelona, Flick has made it clear that his priorities are with players like Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, who have responded well with strong performances. However, other young players like Pablo Torre and Héctor Fort have received fewer opportunities and have had to settle for brief cameos. For Torre, the lack of chances has become a significant administrative issue for the team. After returning from his loan spell, he hoped for a more important role, but that hasn’t materialized, leading to frustration within the dressing room.
If this situation persists in the coming months, Pablo Torre may begin to consider leaving Barcelona in the summer. Despite his immense talent, it seems that Flick does not rely on him much, which could push the player to look for a team that will offer him more chances to grow and play regularly.
For now, Barcelona remains in the hunt for trophies across multiple competitions, and Flick stands by his decisions. However, managing the dressing room is a critical factor for any top-tier team, and if discontent within the squad continues, this issue could become a real problem for the German coach.
