Hansi Flick comes to a frustrating conclusion about Barcelona's struggles while Deco is involved

Barcelona they have been doing some soul searching in recent weeks, after starting the season on fire, but then played themselves on the brink of the title race after just 1 win in 7 games. Manager Hansi Flick and Director Sporting Deco are investigating the causes.

According to AS DiaryDeco met with Flick and some of the captains to try to find the causes of his slump, gathering information about their physical, tactical and mental states as he went. His efforts are in the hope of diagnosing the problems, knowing that he cannot act in the January transfer market, and that this year will be a referendum on his management.

He arrived at the club, and quickly established himself in the decision room. Former manager Xavi Hernandez didn't convince him and was sacked, and has now brought in Flick and star signing Dani Olmo as the holders for his spell in charge.

The signing of Jonathan Tah is very advanced. It could last until 2030. @RogerTorello

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) December 25, 2024

Flick also worked on a solution, say Sport. His take on his difficulties is that more performances against Atletico Madrid will see him on the right track, as he noted in his press conference afterwards. The reverse of this was that, in his view, his defeats at Las Palmas and Leganes, even at home, were due to the attitude of his players – something that does not sit well with him.

Previously, the likes of Lionel Messi had the quality to win such games without necessarily doing so, but Flick does not have that talent at his disposal. When they return, Flick will tell his players that they have to be at their best regardless of their opponent, whether it's a big game or a less than title game.

What seems inevitable is that Flick will need more from his second string of players in the second half of the season to be successful. Part of keeping up against the more modest sides is bringing in players with a point to prove, and making sure the fresh legs are there to compete against the sides that have nothing to lose.