Barcelona Edges Valladolid as Flick Loses Patience with Underperforming Players Ahead of Inter Clash
Barcelona clawed back to secure a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid in a challenging La Liga fixture, keeping their title hopes alive. Despite falling behind early, the Catalans rallied for the three points. They now look ahead to a high-stakes showdown against Real Madrid on May 11 at the Estadio Lluís Companys, while Valladolid is set to face Mallorca a day earlier.
However, the aftermath of the victory was far from celebratory behind closed doors. According to El Nacional, head coach Hansi Flick was furious with the performance of several backup players during the match. The German tactician was reportedly forced to call on his regular starters to avoid a slip-up that could have jeopardized Barcelona’s title chase.
Flick was particularly critical of Ansu Fati, Pau Víctor, and Gerard Martín, deeming their contributions well below the standard required at a club like Barcelona. The report suggests that the trio will not feature in any more matches this season.
Additionally, right-back Héctor Fort came under fire for his lackluster display on both ends of the pitch. Flick has reportedly frozen him out for the remainder of the campaign and may greenlight his departure this summer.
Not even senior squad member Dani Olmo escaped criticism. Flick was disappointed by Olmo’s ineffectiveness after coming off the bench, and told the midfielder that he would not be starting against Inter Milan in the upcoming Champions League second leg. In contrast, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Frenkie de Jong were praised for their positive impact.
Amidst the frustration, Flick made a point to single out Ronald Araújo for praise. The Uruguayan defender was instrumental in keeping Barcelona in the game, making key interventions that neutralized several dangerous Valladolid attacks despite the disarray in the backline.
As Barcelona pushes toward both domestic and European glory, Flick’s strict standards show he’s not afraid to make tough decisions to ensure the team stays on course.
