Barcelona players granted a two-day break following consecutive losses.
Barcelona’s fatigued squad has been granted two days off to recuperate following their loss to Girona on Monday, which resulted in them losing the top position in LaLiga.
Fran Beltrán netted a late winner in the 86th minute, leading Girona to a surprising 2-1 victory at Montilivi, just days after Barça suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.
Reflecting on the consecutive losses, Barça manager Hansi Flick noted that his players are exhausted after a demanding stretch of 13 matches in 44 days, which concluded with Real Madrid overtaking them in the league standings.
Madrid, currently on an eight-match winning streak in LaLiga, holds a two-point advantage over Barça at the top with 14 matches remaining.
The two clubs are set to clash in a potentially decisive Clásico for the title at the start of May.
“I will give the team two days off,” Flick stated. “It’s crucial for them to rest. Then we will prepare for Levante [on Sunday]. Now we need to strive for the top position in the table.”
Having secured a place in the round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the Champions League group stage, Barça will now enjoy two free mid-weeks.
Flick is optimistic that this time will help revitalize his team and aid in the recovery of injured players Pedri, [Marcus] Rashford, and Gavi.
“The players are genuinely fatigued,” Flick remarked. “We will fight. We have the opportunity to recover in the next two weeks, with no midweek matches, and we will train effectively.”
“Hopefully next week we will have more players available. Pedri and Marcus Rashford [are nearing a return]. Gavi will begin training with the team. Step by step, we can perform at a higher level.”
– Flick won’t blame ‘clear’ foul in shock Barcelona loss
– Barcelona taught ‘lesson’ by Atlético Madrid in Copa rout
– Echeverri happy at Girona after ‘very bad time’ in Germany
While critical of his team’s display against Girona, Flick also expressed frustration over the failure to call a foul on Jules Koundé in the lead-up to Beltrán’s goal, which followed Thomas Lemar’s equalizer to Pau Cubarsí’s opener.
Claudio Echeverri, on loan from Manchester City, made contact with Koundé, but VAR did not consider it a reviewable incident, allowing the goal to stand.
This decision prompted Flick to walk out of an interview with DAZN when the reporter declined to share their view on whether it was a foul.
“You have no opinion?” the German coach responded. “OK, then I also don’t. I have nothing to say. OK, thanks a lot.”
