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| FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's Explained what is happened |
By :[Yassine Elcaid]
VITORIA-GASTEIZ — The final whistle at the Mendizorrotza Stadium should have signaled a moment of pure relief and celebration for FC Barcelona. A commanding 3-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés, a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski, and three crucial points to maintain their La Liga momentum. Yet, the defining image of the afternoon was not one of joy.
It was the sight of Hansi Flick, the German tactician who has revitalized the Catalan giants, sitting slumped on the bench next to Raphinha. His head was bowed, his expression thunderous. He looked less like a winning manager and more like a man carrying the weight of a grave injustice.
Social media ignited instantly. Is he sick? Is there an internal conflict? Did something happen in the locker room? The image of a dejected Flick sent shockwaves through the Culers fanbase, transforming a comfortable win into a source of sudden anxiety.
However, exclusive sources from within the club have clarified the situation to Mundo Deportivo, dispelling rumors of health issues or player rifts. The truth is far more complex and speaks to the fierce competitiveness and protective nature of Hansi Flick. His anger was not directed at his team, but at a "perfect storm" of officiating decisions that he felt endangered his players and decimated his technical staff.
The Controversy of the Unseen Penalty: Protecting the Jewel
The primary source of Flick’s visible frustration stems from a deep-seated protective instinct toward his squad, specifically regarding 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal.
In the first half, with the game still very much a contest, Lamine Yamal dazzled his way into the penalty area. The young winger, whose electrifying dribbling has made him the most targeted player in the league, was brought down by Alavés defender Parada. To the naked eye, and indeed to the millions watching worldwide, the contact appeared clear. It was the kind of challenge that, if left unpunished, sets a dangerous precedent for physical play against creative talents.
Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias waved play on. More frustratingly for the Barcelona bench, the VAR room, led by Jorge Figueroa Vázquez, remained silent.
For Flick, this was not just a missed call; it was a failure of duty. The German coach has emphasized the need to protect players like Lamine, who invite contact with their style of play. Seeing his young star denied a clear penalty. and potentially exposed to rougher treatment without consequence. left Flick seething. It was a matter of principle: in Flick’s system, the integrity of the game and the safety of his players are non-negotiable.
Decimation of the Bench: A High Price for Three Points
While the penalty incident simmered beneath the surface, what truly caused Flick’s temper to boil over was the dismantling of his support system. The match officials launched a crackdown on the Barcelona technical area that resulted in two significant casualties.
The referee showed red cards to two of Flick's most trusted lieutenants: goalkeeping coach José Ramón de la Fuente and assistant manager Marcus Sorg.
To the casual observer, these are just staff members. To Flick, they are the brain and the soul of his operation. De la Fuente is an institution at the club, a stabilizing figure for the goalkeepers, while Marcus Sorg is Flick’s tactical sounding board, the man with whom he dissects every micro-moment of the match.
Both were expelled for protesting. expressions of the same frustration Flick felt regarding the officiating inconsistencies. The German coach felt the punishment was disproportionate and severe.
The implications of these red cards are far-reaching. Flick is now looking at the prospect of facing two of the season's most difficult fixtures. Atlético Madrid and Real Betis—without his right-hand men in the dugout. This loss of tactical support during high-pressure games is a heavy blow, turning a routine win against Alavés into a strategic headache for the upcoming weeks.
The Moment with Raphinha: A General and His Captain
The image that sparked the concern—Flick speaking intensely to Raphinha on the bench takes on a new meaning in this light. It was not a reprimand, nor was it a moment of despair. It was a moment of communion.
Raphinha, who has worn the captain's armband with immense pride and has been arguably Barcelona’s best player this season, was the perfect sounding board. Flick, unable to contain his frustration with the fourth official Álvaro Cánovas García-Villarrubia, needed to vent to a leader who understood the battle they were fighting.
In that quiet conversation amidst the chaos of the post-match atmosphere, Flick was likely explaining the injustice, sharing the burden of the suspended staff, and perhaps rallying his captain for the challenges ahead. It showed a bond of trust. Raphinha listened not just as a player, but as a partner in the project.
Why This Matters for Barcelona's Title Charge
This incident reveals a crucial layer of Hansi Flick’s character. He is not merely a tactician; he is an emotional perfectionist. He demands excellence not just from his players, but from the environment surrounding the game.
His anger proves that for this Barcelona side, winning is not enough if the process feels flawed or unfair. The 3-1 scoreline was a triumph of football, but the empty seats next to him in the next match will be a stark reminder of the cost.
As Barcelona prepares for the crucial clashes against Atlético and Betis, the narrative has shifted. The team is playing beautifully, but their manager has signaled that they are fighting a battle on two fronts: one against the opposition defense, and another against what he perceives as a lack of protection from the officials.
The "Enigma of Vitoria" has been solved. Flick wasn't sad; he was fighting for his team. And in a season that promises to go down to the wire, that fire might be exactly what Barcelona needs.