Hansi Flick Reflects on Copa del Rey Defeat and Prepares for Girona Clash

omidbasir- Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick has opted to keep the details of his post-match discussion with referee Juan Martínez Munuera confidential following the team’s 4-0 loss to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal. Despite the defeat, Flick commended the communication he had with Munuera.

The match saw Barça overwhelmed by Atlético, with frustrations mounting after a Pau Cubarsí goal was disallowed for offside early in the second half. Flick described the situation as a “mess,” criticizing the overall quality of communication with referees in Spain, which compelled the club to lodge a formal complaint with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Refereeing Committee (CTA) on Saturday.

Ahead of the LaLiga fixture against Girona on Monday, Flick confirmed he sought a dialogue with Martínez Munuera to understand the rationale behind the offside decision. “I spoke with the referee after the game and wanted to hear his perspective. I believe it was a constructive conversation, but I must keep the details private,” he stated. He acknowledged the referee’s role, affirming, “It was not his fault we lost the game. We need to focus on what we can change—our quality, mentality, and attitude. We must strive to improve.”

With the second leg against Atlético scheduled for March 3, Barcelona turns its focus back to league play, having slipped to second place after Real Madrid’s victory over Real Sociedad. A win against Girona could restore them to the top of the table, and Flick has urged his players to respond positively to their recent poor performance.

“We lacked the competitive attitude against Atlético,” he remarked. “In every duel and one-on-one situation, they were superior and more dynamic. It’s crucial how we react to defeats, and I expect to see that reaction in our next match.”

Barcelona will again be without Marcus Rashford, who is dealing with a minor knee issue, while Pedri, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen remain on the injury list. However, the return of Raphinha is a significant boost for the team. Flick highlighted the Brazilian’s importance, noting the stark contrast in the team’s performance with and without him this season.

“When Raphinha is on the field, our record is impressive—20 wins, one draw, and just one loss, which occurred when he was limited to 25 minutes on the pitch. In contrast, we have suffered five defeats in the 15 games without him,” he elaborated.

On Rashford’s status, Flick mentioned, “He is out for tomorrow’s match. His condition is improving, but we are taking it step by step. Raphinha’s presence is vital for our dynamics and intensity in training and matches. Last season, in my opinion, he was the best player in the world.”