Barcelona's Hansi Flick explains Las Palmas defeat – “If we have disconnected players, it won't go well”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick blamed their lack of defensive solidity and lack of effectiveness in front of goal for their defeat against The Palms. The Canaries inflicted their first home loss under Flick, and for much of the match, they looked the better team.
The German coach is going through his toughest patch as Barcelona manager since joining, having won just one of his last four games and picked up a point in his last three La Liga games. Flick was asked about the fact that injured players returning to the team coincided with their form.
“I believe in the players. I have confidence in them, but things are what they are. When I started here I already told them that there would be no excuse. It is normal that some players when they come back from injury are not at their higher level, but if we play as a team we should be able to beat any team, but if some players are disconnected, it will not go well.”
Nor did he think they had a trust problem. One of his points of emphasis was that they did not press well as a team again, something that led to their struggles against Celta Vigo.
“I don't think there is a lack of confidence in the players. The defense is not only about the four players at the back. The players alone cannot win games. It is always about the team. We need good connections in defense and attack and today we don't have it”.
“We had 70% possession, and 27 shots, I think, and we didn't take our chances. We have the quality to do that.”
Accumulated offsides of Barça's opponents in the last 4 games: 16 (4 on average).
Accumulated offsides by Barca's opponents in the first 16 games: 108 (6.75 average). @tjuanmarti
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 30, 2024
“We have to change, we have to defend better. If you don't score a goal, it's even more difficult to keep a clean sheet. But it's not only for the defensive players, but for the whole team. “We have to go back and reconnect.”
“He had a little discomfort and we don't want to risk it. He will be in Mallorca. He is a very important footballer for us.”
Hansi Flick on the absence of Dani Olmo since his defeat. #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/ggbMQIEbC2
— Football España (@footballespana_) November 30, 2024
Flick's side travel to Son Moix on Tuesday to face RCD Mallorca, in a game they will be desperate to get three points. Jagoba Arrasate's side will not be pushed, however, as they sit in fifth place at the time of writing, coming off a point. win against Valencia. Flick's team knows that their gap with Real Madrid is likely to be narrowed as well.
