Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has stated that there have been “open and honest” conversations with his squad as the Spanish champions look to regain momentum following two consecutive losses.
Last week, Barça suffered a 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal and followed it up with a 2-1 loss to Girona in LaLiga on Monday.
Consequently, they have fallen behind Real Madrid at the top of the standings ahead of a crucial match against Levante at Spotify Camp Nou this Sunday.
“After experiencing two defeats and not performing at our best, it was beneficial to have two days off this week,” Flick commented during a news conference on Saturday.
“We need to rebuild our confidence. It’s natural to have doubts when results aren’t going your way and performances suffer.”
“We had very open and honest discussions two days ago and again today. This honesty is essential for our upcoming matches. We must approach these games with a strong desire to win.”
Following the loss to Girona, Barça’s players were given a break on Tuesday and Wednesday.
They resumed training on Thursday, where the first team meeting took place, followed by another discussion prior to Saturday’s session, as Flick sought input from the players on recent struggles.
“Everyone is confident in what we are doing,” Flick stated when asked if his players still believed in his tactical approach, which emphasizes an aggressive high line and intense pressing.
“It was a very open and honest conversation, not just me instructing them; I wanted their perspectives too. This is normal and reflects my management style.
“It’s crucial for us to have leaders on the field, so it’s vital they express their thoughts. I aim for my players to feel accountable for the situation, and I believe they do.”
Saturday’s meeting extended over an hour longer than scheduled, causing a slight delay in the start of Flick’s press briefing.
“We are conceding too many opportunities to our opponents, so we discussed what needs to improve for us to get back on track,” he explained, addressing the reason for the delay.
“The discussion was open and significant, but I need to set boundaries at the end, which I did. It’s essential to analyze these situations, and that’s exactly what we accomplished, even if it took longer than usual.”
– Harry Kane transfer contact made by Barcelona presidential nominee
– Messi will score 900th goal in 2026. Can he reach 1,000? Can he surpass Ronaldo?
– Barcelona transfer questions: Should Lewandowski and Rashford be let go?
Barcelona is set to see the return of Marcus Rashford and Pedri from injury against Levante this weekend, while Gavi is also nearing a return after training with the team this week for the first time since September.
“Rashford is back, Pedri is back, and having Gavi back with the group is a significant step,” Flick noted. “These developments are encouraging.
“Pedri is expected to play some minutes on Sunday. He is a vital player for us, bringing leadership through his quality on the field.
“With Gavi, it’s a gradual process, but I hope to see him fully back soon. The physios have been exceptional with him; it’s great to see him progress to this level.”