Barcelona Players Granted Time Off Following LaLiga Setback

omidbasir- Barcelona’s weary players have been granted two days off to recuperate following their recent defeat to Girona, which has resulted in the loss of their LaLiga top position.

Fran Beltrán netted a decisive 86th-minute goal, leading Girona to a surprising 2-1 victory at Montilivi, just days after Barcelona suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.

Expressing disappointment over the consecutive losses, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick highlighted the fatigue plaguing his squad after a demanding schedule of 13 games in 44 days, which has seen Real Madrid overtake them in the league standings.

Currently, Madrid enjoys an eight-game winning streak in LaLiga, sitting two points ahead of Barcelona at the top with 14 matches remaining.

The two rivals are set to clash in a potentially decisive Clásico at the beginning of May.

“I will grant the team two days off,” Flick confirmed. “Rest is crucial at this point. Following that, we will prepare for our match against Levante on Sunday. We need to focus on reclaiming the top position.”

After securing a spot in the Champions League round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase, Barcelona will benefit from two mid-week breaks.

Flick is hopeful that this respite will help rejuvenate his squad and allow the return of injured players including Pedri, Marcus Rashford, and Gavi.

“The players are genuinely fatigued,” Flick stated. “We are determined to fight back. With the next two weeks offering no mid-week games, we will utilize this time to train effectively.

“We hope to see more players available next week; both Pedri and Marcus Rashford are nearing recovery, while Gavi will begin training with the team. We will progress step by step and aim for improved performance.”

Despite acknowledging his team’s shortcomings against Girona, Flick also expressed frustration over the failure to call a foul on Jules Koundé in the lead-up to Beltrán’s winning goal, which occurred after Thomas Lemar equalized following Pau Cubarsí’s opener.

Claudio Echeverri, on loan from Manchester City, made contact with Koundé, but VAR did not consider it a reviewable foul, allowing the goal to stand.

This controversial decision prompted Flick to walk out of a DAZN interview after the journalist declined to offer an opinion on the incident. “You have no opinion?” the German coach responded. “Alright, then I have nothing to add. Thank you very much.”