Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has issued a stern demand for increased determination from his players as the Catalan club navigates a severe injury crisis and a dip in form.
Injury Woes and a Call to Arms
The German coach made his feelings clear during a news conference on Saturday, ahead of Barcelona's crucial La Liga match against Celta Vigo. This comes on the heels of a disappointing 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League this past Wednesday.
Flick explicitly stated that the growing list of injured players is not an excuse, but a stark reality the team must confront. Raphinha, Pedri, Joan Garcia, and Gavi are confirmed absentees for the trip to Balaidos. He also revealed that defender Jules Kounde is a major doubt for the fixture.
"It's a fact — we have a lot of injured players. They are huge players, some of our key players," Flick told reporters. "I know, we all know, the players know we have to play much better."
Struggles in Flick's Second Season
The current situation marks a challenging period in Flick's second term at the helm. After securing a domestic treble last season, the team has struggled to find consistency. Currently, Barcelona finds itself five points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
Flick emphasized the need for resilience until key players can return. "The important thing is that everyone gets back, after two or three matches, they are on a good level and can help us a lot," he said, suggesting this difficult period could be a new starting point for the team.
He was particularly critical of the team's recent display, stating, "On Wednesday we couldn't see this fight that we need. Hopefully tomorrow we will see it." This fight will be essential against a Celta Vigo side that has won its last five games across all competitions, a run Flick acknowledged has put them in a "good mood."
A Glimmer of Hope and a Plea for Caution
Amid the challenges, there was positive news regarding young star Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old winger showed a return to his best form against Brugge. Flick credited this to Yamal's improved discipline in managing a persistent groin issue.
"He changed his discipline, it's much better now, he's really training good," Flick revealed.
However, the coach also issued a cautious plea to the Spanish national team. Yamal has been called up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, and Flick asked Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, to handle the teenager with care. This concern stems from previous instances where Yamal aggravated his groin problem while on international duty in September and was subsequently released from the squad in October.
"He comes back to the best level but it's not over," Flick added. "We have to take care about this injury, not only us but also the national team."
