FC Barcelona: Hansi Flick slams his players after heavy defeat to Atlético

Barcelona—Hansi Flick delivered an unsparing critique of his FC Barcelona squad on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after the team’s 4-0 capitulation to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Metropolitano.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the German coach waited until the squad reconvened for training to voice his displeasure, choosing to keep his thoughts private at the interval despite the lopsided scoreline. Once the session began, Flick left no room for interpretation: he rebuked the players for a first-half display that lacked “team spirit, intensity and fighting spirit,” and told them the performance was “unworthy of a team aiming for titles.”

After reviewing match footage overnight, Flick said he could not comprehend how his side had taken the pitch with so little aggression against an opponent whose hallmark is precisely that relentless commitment. The blunt assessment sets the tone for a pivotal week at the club, with the return leg at Spotify Camp Nou looming and a three-goal mountain to climb.

Barcelona now face the dual challenge of reversing the tie and regaining their coach’s trust before the sides meet again.