Ten rounds into the season, Barcelona finds itself five points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, following a shocking defeat in the recent El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 2-1 loss was not just the loss of three points; it was a major blow to the Catalan club, which had been desperate to compete for the title this season.
Flick Under Fire: Late Substitutions Fuel Anger
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The criticism wasn’t limited to the players’ performance on the pitch; it also extended to German coach Hansi Flick, who faced attacks from club president Joan Laporta after the match. Following the defeat, Laporta expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the timing of the substitutions, which was considered one of the key reasons for the team’s poor performance in the second half, especially under the relentless pressure from Real Madrid.
Laporta feels that Flick was slow to make the necessary tactical adjustments during the match, depriving the team of any opportunity to get back into the game and leaving them ineffective in the second half. This anger comes at a sensitive time, especially as the coach is under increasing pressure after a series of unconvincing results in recent weeks.
Flick Under the Microscope: Ronnie Bardez as an Option for the Future
In light of this dissatisfaction, Laporta urged Flick to give young Swedish player Ronnie Bardez more opportunities, as he had not been receiving enough minutes in previous matches. The Catalan president believes Bardez has great potential and could provide a much-needed boost to the team, especially considering the significant decline in the performance of some players, most notably Lamine Yamal.
Future Direction: The Need for Change
As time passes and Barcelona continues to slip further behind at the top of the league, it has become clear that changes need to be made, both tactically and technically, within the team. Laporta seems firm in his stance, demanding a rapid improvement in the team’s performance, particularly with upcoming challenges in both La Liga and the Champions League.
We can expect further changes to the lineup and tactics in the upcoming matches, especially with the mounting pressure on coach Flick to adapt his approach and secure the victories necessary to keep Barcelona in the title race.
