Five points – that's how many points FC Barcelona scored in the last five league games. It must be admitted that considering her results at the beginning of the season, this is a terrible period. Lamine Yamal's injury made the entire team look weak, and in Saturday's match against Real Betis, even the 17-year-old was unable to contribute to the victory. It can be said that he did what he could, because after an outstanding pass in the 82nd minute, Ferran Torres found the net. However, the rivals did not give up and led to a draw.
The Germans notice Hansi Flick's increasing problems. “Nerves are frayed”
Disturbing scenes occurred during the match itself, and more specifically in the 66th minute. Referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz, after consulting the VAR car, awarded a penalty kick for a foul on Vitor Roque. This irritated Hansi Flick, who just waved his hand expressively. The referee considered it a “gesture of protest against the decision” and sent him off. The Spaniards could not believe that he was given a red card for this “small gesture”.
Certainly, the recent events do not have a good impact on the team and the coach himself, as pointed out by the German portal Ruhr 24 before the match against Borussia Dortmund. “Hansi Flick's nerves seem to be a bit frayed. (…) The 59-year-old caused a great commotion during Saturday's match (…) The pressure on the former coach of the German national team is increasing,” it was reported.
The Spanish respond. “Flick is infallible in matches against Borussia”
The Spaniards, however, notice something different. “Flick is infallible in matches against Borussia,” writes “Sport”. As Bayern's coach, he faced his eternal rival five times. And he won five victories. “Overwhelming statistics,” we read. There was also a direct meeting between the two teams in the 2019/20 season, when Bayern won 4-0 and “killer” Robert Lewandowski scored a double.
The daily also pays particular attention to the brilliant performance of Jamie Gittens, who is said to be a “weapon to break through Barcelona's defense” and at the same time its greatest threat. – He is Borussia's best player. He can play both on the right and left side. It's very fast, electrifying. He enters duels in an unconventional way, and when he reaches the penalty area, he usually finishes the actions effectively. He is a player with the greatest talent and a future if he does not go to waste, says Marc Mayola.
Hansi Flick allegedly already diagnosed FC Barcelona's problem in recent matches, which is physicality. The “Sport” daily notes that since the coach joined the Spanish club, training and nutritional discipline have become much more rigorous. Now the staff noticed that the team is a bit tired, which is why the coach recently gave some players, among others, Robert Lewandowski, more rest.