Life punishes those who are late – or Hansi Flick does. Jules Koundé was thrown off the starting lineup for the third time because of this. A few minutes also cost keeper Inaki Pena dearly.
Since the start of this season, we’ve been seeing it time and again: Barcelona players hastily running towards the training ground or sprinting to the team bus. A video of Ronald Araujo, who is seen hopping on the bus, is proof of this. He obviously didn’t have time to put on a T-shirt.
The reason has a name: Hansi Flick.
The 59-year-old has brought a German virtue with him to Catalonia. Anyone who is even a minute late sits on the bench. And Flick doesn’t care whether the person is Pablo Torre or Robert Lewandowski and whether the opponent is Real Valladolid or Real Madrid.
For Flick, it’s about “respect”
Jules Koundé can tell you a thing or two about that. The Frenchman is Flick’s first-choice striker and has only come off the bench in three league games this season. Each time, he is said not to have had his eye on his watch.
The same applied to Monday’s game against Rayo Vallecano, as Flick confirmed. “There are two or three meetings with the players, and it’s very important that they attend them,” the coach said after the 1-0 win over Rayo, explaining his strict approach. It’s “not that difficult to turn up and comply. It’s about respect.” Flick wants to talk to Koundé again. “He was late, but that’s a rule that has to be clear.”
In any case, it is not new. “Every coach has their punishments. With Xavi, it was fines that doubled every minute,” Pedri already knew how to report several months ago. That’s not the case with Flick. “If you’re late, you don’t play.”
Pau Victor has also commented on the subject before. ‘I wasn’t there when he set the rules, but I’ve been warned that I have to be careful. If he says, ’11 o’clock on the pitch’ and you’re three seconds late, you’re late for him.”
Not to mention Inaki Pena, who was three minutes late to warm up before the semi-final of the Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao at the start of January. Wojciech Szczesny was given the nod as a result and did well in the 2-0 win. The Pole is now ahead in the battle for the number one spot.
