A livid Hansi Flick took purpose on the figures answerable for the punishing, record-breaking schedule Barcelona have been subjected to in latest weeks.
The Catalan giants misplaced their first sport of 2025 towards Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening, briefly flirting with the prospect of a shock Champions League elimination regardless of boasting a 4-0 benefit heading into the second leg. Flick angrily identified that his gamers weren’t in mattress till 5am the next morning after travelling again from Germany and would have little time to organize for this weekend’s league assembly with Celta Vigo.
Flick has already fumed about La Liga’s tight scheduling this season, questioning why his facet have been compelled to play Osasuna so quickly after the conclusion of final month’s worldwide break. Between that conflict on 27 March and this week’s defeat to Dortmund, Barcelona performed seven video games in 457 hours (19 days) which represents a brand new membership report, in keeping with RAC1.
“Each league protects their golf equipment, particularly once they play within the semi-finals of the Champions League. It is unbelievable, we’ve no time to relaxation,” Flick seethed in entrance of assembled journalists on Friday.
Barcelona host Celta Vigo on Saturday at 4.30pm native time – a kick-off schedule which the German coach was unimpressed with.
“For me, the fellows answerable for that – I need to talk about it with them … I do not need to make excuses or complain,” Flick mentioned, earlier than complaining: “I am glad we’re not taking part in on Sunday at 2pm towards Valladolid. However why cannot we play at 6pm like we usually do? Give me one cause. To me, it is a joke and it impacts Spanish soccer. The remainder of the groups within the European leagues profit.
“I am speechless as a result of this case is unbelievable. Within the Bundesliga or Premier League, they care for their golf equipment… They [La Liga] don’t know what this [arriving late] means for the gamers.”
Fellow Champions League semi-finalists Paris Saint-Germain had their Ligue 1 fixture earlier than the second leg towards Aston Villa postponed solely to offer extra preparation time.
But, Barcelona’s continued success is contributing to this logistical nightmare. Flick’s facet are nonetheless concerned in three totally different competitions, battling Actual Madrid for the La Liga title and Copa del Rey crown alongside their European commitments.
The unrelenting churn of matches will not decelerate any time quickly, as Barcelona need to navigate 9 video games within the area of 29 days.
