On the sidelines of Barcelona’s spectacular 4-3 win over Celta Vigo, there were also some discordant notes—which coach Hansi Flick did not like at all. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding Robert Lewandowski continues.
Ansu Fati apparently had no desire to vent his anger internally. When he realized after warming up for Saturday’s home game against Celta Vigo (4-3) that he would once again not be coming on as a substitute, he kicked a water bottle and threw away his shirt. And because he was only the most obvious of several frustrated FC Barcelona pros, Hansi Flick made his feelings clear two days later. He too was apparently not in the mood to vent his anger internally.
“Can I understand that they are unhappy, disappointed, and angry? Yes, I can, of course. I was a professional myself and know the situation. Everyone wants to show that they are part of the team, that they can contribute something to achieve the common goals. I totally understand that. But,” Flick continued at his press conference on Easter Monday, ”can I understand the reaction? No, I don’t.”
After all, Barca came back from 1-3 down to celebrate a ‘great comeback,’ the coach reminded everyone. ”I think we made the right decisions. The players need to see that.” This was clearly difficult for some – Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, who was substituted in the 59th minute, and reserve Hector Fort, for example. Flick’s clear message: “I’d rather see a reaction on the pitch when they play.”
For Ansu Fati, whom Barca would probably like to sell in the summer, there is hardly any opportunity to do so under Flick. The attacking player with the number ten jersey has only played 191 minutes in nine games across all competitions. The 22-year-old last played in the league on November 10. Eighteen-year-old Fort has been waiting for a chance to play since the beginning of March.
How long will Lewandowski be out? “We don’t want to say.”
Flick did not name names in his criticism of his reserves, and the former national team coach was otherwise tight-lipped. Will Robert Lewandowski actually be out for two to three weeks with the thigh injury he suffered against Vigo, as speculated by the Spanish media? “At the moment, we don’t know how long it will take, and we don’t want to say,” Flick smiled. And when will Marc-André ter Stegen return to the pitch after recovering from injury? “He’s ready. I’ll talk to him. We have to decide when the right time is for his comeback.”
On Tuesday against RCD Mallorca, when the next step towards the championship title and thus the treble is to be taken, Wojciech Szczesny will once again guard the Catalans’ goal.
