Barcelona 1–4 Sevilla: Flick Slams Araujo and Cubarsí After Humiliating Defeat
Barcelona endured one of their worst nights of the season as they were thrashed 4–1 by Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, leaving manager Hansi Flick furious with his team’s defensive collapse.
The defeat, Barça’s heaviest under Flick so far, exposed glaring weaknesses at the back, with both Pau Cubarsí and Ronald Araujo singled out for criticism after costly errors that gifted Sevilla multiple goals.
🚨 Flick Reportedly Tells Cubarsí to Find a New Club
It was a nightmare outing for 17-year-old Pau Cubarsí, who endured perhaps the toughest match of his young career. Without the experienced Íñigo Martínez alongside him, the teenager struggled to organize the backline, lost key duels, and appeared rattled in possession.
Speaking after the match, Flick did not mince words.
“I regret playing him today,” the German coach said bluntly. “This might be the last time he plays for me. I’ve advised him to find a new club by the end of the season.”
Flick’s comments sent shockwaves through the dressing room and among fans, many of whom had seen Cubarsí as a cornerstone for Barcelona’s future. The coach’s public rebuke now casts serious doubt over the young defender’s place at the club.
“He’s talented, but this level demands focus and consistency,” Flick added. “Maybe a move elsewhere will help him develop.”
Araujo’s Night to Forget
Senior defender Ronald Araujo also came under fire after conceding a reckless early penalty that allowed Sevilla to take the lead just ten minutes in. The Uruguayan was repeatedly caught out of position and struggled to deal with Sevilla’s pace on the counterattack.
According to Yahoo Sports, Araujo’s passing was “careless and predictable,” often putting his teammates in danger. Flick later admitted he had been warned about Araujo’s inconsistency before the season began.
“I wanted to give him a chance to prove himself,” Flick said. “But what we saw today confirmed our concerns. You can’t make such basic defensive mistakes and expect to compete for trophies.”
Inside the Dressing Room: Growing Tension
Sources close to the squad described the atmosphere in the dressing room after the final whistle as “tense and silent.” Some senior players were reportedly uncomfortable with Flick’s decision to publicly criticize teammates, while others felt his comments reflected long-standing frustrations within the squad.
Barcelona have now conceded 10 goals in their last three matches, and Flick’s patience appears to be wearing thin. Reports suggest both Araujo and Cubarsí could be dropped for the next fixture, with Andreas Christensen and Jules Koundé expected to return to the starting lineup.
Flick’s Response
“This was not Barcelona level,” Flick said in his post-match press conference. “I take responsibility for the result, but players must also take responsibility for their performances. What happened tonight is unacceptable.”
Sevilla’s coach praised his side’s intensity, saying,
“We knew Barcelona’s defense would struggle under pressure. The players executed our plan perfectly.”
A Barça captain, speaking anonymously, offered a more measured response:
“It’s a tough moment. We need unity now, not division. Everyone has to look at themselves.”
Match Summary
Final Score: Sevilla 4–1 Barcelona
Venue: Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán
Man of the Match: Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla)
Key Incidents:
- Araujo concedes penalty (10’)
- Cubarsí fails offside trap (43’)
- Flick’s post-match outburst sparks controversy
Disciplinary Note: Flick advises Cubarsí to seek a move away
Verdict
It was a night of embarrassment for Barcelona and a wake-up call for Hansi Flick, whose rebuilding project now faces its first real crisis. The manager’s decision to publicly call out key defenders may divide opinion, but it underlines the urgency of change.
With morale low and the title race slipping away, Flick is expected to overhaul his defense in the coming weeks — marking the start of a new, more ruthless chapter in Barcelona’s season.
