Flick under fire as Girona defeat exposes cracks at Barcelona
Barcelona’s season has reached a pivotal moment. What once looked like a campaign defined by cohesion and clarity has become one marked by doubt, fatigue and renewed debate over identity.
According to Pol Ballús of The Athletic, tensions surfaced at Barcelona’s training base after the 4,0 Copa del Rey semi final first leg defeat to Atletico Madrid. During internal discussions, Hansi Flick questioned the squad’s intensity and commitment. Several players responded by expressing concern about the physical and tactical demands of the team’s aggressive pressing system and high defensive line.
The exchange was described as a significant moment in Flick’s tenure, which began in May 2024 and brought immediate domestic success as well as a deep Champions League run last season. Now, however, the same high risk structure that once overwhelmed opponents is being tested more severely.
Girona loss raises pressure in title race
Barcelona travelled to Montilivi knowing Real Madrid had moved top of La Liga after a 4,1 victory over Real Sociedad. The margin for error was slim. It disappeared entirely in the second half.
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Pau Cubarsi headed Barcelona into the lead in the 59th minute, but Thomas Lemar equalised within two minutes. Fran Beltran struck late to secure a 2,1 win for Girona, leaving Barcelona two points behind Madrid with 14 league matches remaining.
According to The Athletic, this was the sixth time this season that Barcelona conceded within three minutes of scoring. Catalan radio station RAC1 reported that such a pattern has not occurred at this stage of a campaign since the 1991,92 season.
There was frustration over the build up to Girona’s winner, particularly a challenge on Jules Kounde that survived a VAR review. Yet the broader issue was structural. Barcelona struggled to manage transitions and appeared stretched whenever their first line of pressure was bypassed.
Tactical debate moves into the open
Flick did not hide his disappointment. “We defended the transitions very badly, we were too open,” he said after the match. “Our midfield was not in the right position, and it was not easy for the backline to defend that.”
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He added, “We are not in a good mood. In a season those results happen, but it’s not who we are. We can play much better.”
The German coach confirmed he had given the squad two days off to reset physically and mentally. He also expressed hope that injured players would soon return, stressing that the title race remains open.
Behind the scenes, fatigue is viewed as a contributing factor. Barcelona have played 13 matches in 45 days across competitions, stretching a squad already dealing with injuries. According to reporting by The Athletic, some players feel the midfield lacks a physical presence capable of covering ground when the press is broken.
That vulnerability has become more visible in recent weeks. When the press functions, Barcelona dictate tempo. When it fails, space opens quickly between midfield and defence.
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A defining stretch for Flick and his squad
Despite frustration over refereeing decisions at Girona, the dressing room response has been measured. Responsibility has largely been accepted internally, with players aware that performance levels dipped at a crucial stage of the season.
The upcoming schedule offers breathing room, with no immediate midweek fixtures. That pause may prove important. Rest, tactical recalibration and the return of key figures could yet steady Barcelona’s challenge.
For Flick, the coming weeks represent more than a run of league matches. They will test whether his philosophy can adapt under pressure, or whether opponents have begun to decode a system built on precision and risk.
Sources: The Athletic
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