Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has reportedly taken drastic measures after his team’s 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, a result that ended their perfect start to the season. Frustrated by the performance, Flick is said to have locked his players in the dressing room to deliver a stern message.
The Catalan side had begun their campaign strongly, beating Mallorca 3-0 and securing a narrow 3-2 victory away at Levante. However, Flick remained dissatisfied with his squad’s displays in all three matches, culminating in his outburst after the Rayo game, according to The Athletic.
Flick’s post-match message to his players echoed his comments to the press, though it was delivered in a far more forceful manner behind closed doors. He told reporters, “The most important thing is that, when the transfer window is closed, everyone who stays is 100 per cent committed to this club. No egos, because egos kill success. Last season, we played as one unit. We have to be like this again now.”
Sources close to the team say that many players agreed with Flick’s assessment and believed his timing was intentional. By delivering his criticism just before the international break, Flick aimed to ensure his words would resonate and remain in the players’ minds during their time away from club duties.
Despite general agreement with the manager’s concerns, not everyone in the squad was convinced that selfishness was the primary issue. Lamine Yamal, speaking to Spanish channel TVE, offered a different perspective, stating, “Egos? Everyone has their opinion, but I don’t think our problems are down to that. It has to do with the fact that we have not started the season with the same intensity we ended the last one.”
Yamal went on to acknowledge the frustrations of the draw but highlighted the team’s positive results on the road. “After a draw like that, you are always frustrated, but we’ve taken seven points out of nine playing away from home in difficult stadiums, which people sometimes forget. The manager is right, we made too many mistakes, but this can happen. We have to get back to our level as soon as possible now.”
Barcelona had initially taken the lead against Rayo Vallecano thanks to a penalty from Yamal just before halftime. The hosts responded in the second half with an equalizer from Fran Perez, and it was only due to a series of vital saves from new goalkeeper Joan Garcia that Barcelona avoided defeat.
With the international break now underway, Flick is expected to use the time to regroup and refocus his squad. The next test for Barcelona will come when they host Valencia, as the manager seeks a more convincing performance and a return to early-season form.
