Barcelona has faced a significant setback ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico, as their manager, Hansi Flick, will be absent from the touchline.
This situation arises following Flick’s dismissal during Barcelona’s match against Girona on Saturday.
In a closely contested game where Barcelona clinched a last-minute victory thanks to Ronald Araujo, Flick frequently clashed with the referees throughout the match.
He was particularly vocal about some controversial refereeing calls, including his discontent with the decision to allocate only four minutes of stoppage time.
The Reason Behind Flick’s Dismissal
Flick, who had already received a yellow card for clapping in protest at a referee’s ruling, was seen arguing with officials over the minimal four minutes of added time in a match riddled with interruptions.
Frustrated by Flick’s persistent complaints, the referee issued a second yellow card, resulting in his expulsion to the stands.
As a consequence of this red card, Flick will miss the pivotal Barcelona vs Real Madrid match, forcing him to watch from the stands.
This absence could prove detrimental to Barcelona, who are currently grappling with an injury crisis and inconsistent performance.
While the dramatic win against Girona might uplift the team’s morale, Flick’s presence on the sidelines—especially his tactical insights and motivational abilities—will be sorely missed against Real Madrid.
In previous instances, Marcus Sorg has taken over Flick’s duties on the touchline, but this time, it remains to be seen whether new assistant manager Thiago Alcantara will get the opportunity to lead Barcelona during this critical encounter.