Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed disappointment with his players following their 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday, stating that they had only themselves to blame for the outcome and were fortunate to leave with a point.
Barcelona established a two-goal advantage courtesy of captain Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski strikes. However, the match took a turn when Marc Casado received a second yellow card in the 82nd minute, allowing the home side to rally and score two late goals.
“It wasn’t just the final moments; we played a poor game overall tonight,” Flick stated in an interview with DAZN.
Playing at full capacity is essential for securing victory. The entirety of the game unfolded in that manner. It is necessary to speak candidly.
Such occurrences are not uncommon. The match was disappointing. The players express their dissatisfaction. The performance today fell short, and it is clear that everyone has the potential to perform at a higher level. Maintaining focus is essential. Sometimes, our tasks may be straightforward; however, the reality is quite different…
Flick refrained from blaming Casado for the red card or defender Jules Kounde for the error that allowed Celta to score through substitute Alfonso Gonzalez in the 84th minute. Instead, he criticized his team’s overall effort and performance.
The red card and Kounde’s error reflect the team’s poor performance. “We made numerous errors and struggled with our confidence on the ball during the entire match,” Flick stated.
“The team did not perform to their usual standards on the pitch, yet fortune favored them in certain moments, ultimately resulting in a draw. However, there is a clear need for a response, as such a performance cannot become a pattern.”
Concerns are mounting regarding the potential repercussions of today’s events on the team’s performance in the forthcoming Champions League match against Brest, scheduled for Tuesday. “We must learn from our mistakes as we progress.”
Barcelona currently leads the La Liga standings with 34 points, holding a five-point advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid and a seven-point lead over third-placed Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.
