Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says he will have to “teach some of the players” more leadership in important games as the La Liga leaders prepare to return to action against Celta Vigo following their “very painful” exit from the Champions League.
Five-time European champions Barca were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, 3-2 on aggregate after the fourth-placed team in the top flight abandoned their bid for a comeback.
“We have a small team and elimination hurts a lot,” reflected Flick. “We have to give everything for the sake of the fans.
“Everyone is proud of the team, it’s painful, but it gives us strength. We need players who can lead the team on the field.
“It’s not just talking about training, but also appearing on the field in the semi-final or quarter-final. We need players who show where they need to go on the field.”
Hansi Flick: Why Barcelona ‘aren’t just about winning’
With seven games remaining in the Liga season, Barca are nine points adrift of second-placed Real Madrid, who they host on May 10 (20:00 BST).
“You have to decide,” replied Flick when asked if winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup would be a successful season.
“It’s a good situation in the team, it’s not just about the titles but the way we play football, the fans and the team are happy with the way we play.
“The president [Joan Laporta] He gave me a book and told me that the important thing is not only to win, but also to play.”
Flick insisted his current role will be his last before the 61-year-old retires, citing his remaining ambitions at the club as a “big dream” to win the Champions League and be in charge when the Camp Nou fully opens, expected to start in April 2027.
“We have to make good decisions,” said the German. “We have to make the right decisions in the transfer market.
“I like the way things work here; it’s a great family. We have a lot of energy in the team even though we were kicked out of the Champions League.”
Here is the lowest average starting age of teams in La Liga this season, according to Transfermarkt.
| The club | Age |
|---|---|
| Barcelona | 24.5 |
| Real Madrid | 24.9 |
| Real Sociedad | 25.6 |
| Levante | 25.7 |
| Celta Vigo | 25.8 |
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo: Madrid will ‘fight to the end’
Sixth-placed Celta Vigo will move past Real Betis with a win but have lost four of their last five games in all competitions.
“Now we want to win La Liga, but it’s not over yet,” said Flick. “We have a good chance, La Liga is very difficult, and it will not be easy.
“We have to play and we want to do our best and give our best football, like we did against Atletico.
“It will be difficult until the end; Madrid will fight until the end.”
Roony Bardghji: Barcelona are holding talks with student Lamine Yamal
Flick said 20-year-old Roony Bardghji’s “situation” is “not easy” after the Swede sat out most of the league’s games for the first time since November and December.
“You hope to have more playing time, but sometimes that’s the case,” Flick said, calling the prospect “an amazing professional”.
“We have Lamine [Yamal] in that case… right now, we need him on the field again. Roony is amazing and I have spoken to him and explained his situation.
“He plays with the best players in the world and has improved a lot, and we will talk at the end of the season, there are still games to be played.
“[The players are] everything is important, and we need them all to be better.”
When is Barcelona vs Celta Vigo? Where to watch, TV channel, live streaming
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo kicks off at 20:30 BST / 15:30 ET / 12:30 PT on Wednesday, with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streaming is available on a variety of devices via the Premier Sports app.
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