Hansi Flick gave his Barcelona players a stern talking to after they conceded two late goals in quick succession in their shock draw at Celta Vigo.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Barcelona conceded two goals in last 10 minutesKounde error and Casado red card led to collapseFlick scolded players after 2-2 drawFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Despite leading a team in the bottom half of the table by two goals with ten minutes to go, Barcelona's young guns lost their heads after Marc Casado was sent off for receiving a second yellow card in the 82nd minute. A Jules Kounde lapse in concentration handed Celta a route back back into the game before an 86th minute equaliser saw the points shared in a 2-2 draw.
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Flick's Barcelona had been arguably the best team in Europe up until just before the international break. However, they have failed to win their last two league games, and have handed Real Madrid a lifeline in the title race in the process. One factor that has severely hurt the Catalans has been the absence of Lamine Yamal, who has been out with an ankle injury since the Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade.
Barcelona have failed to win any of the games in which Yamal has not been named in the starting XI, with Saturday's result another to add to the list. Flick was understandably furious at the collapse, and is said by to have given a heated speech to the players straight after the final whistle.
WHAT FLICK SAID
Speaking to the press immediately after the his speech to the players, Flick said: "It wasn’t just the last 10 minutes. It was the whole game. We played a really bad game. We have to be honest. What we saw today is the summary: when you play at 80% or 85% you cannot win."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR FLICK AND BARCELONA?
Barcelona need to bounce back from this result quickly, as with the congested festive period approaching, they need to be on the game to maintain their status at the top of La Liga. The Champions League is also heating up over this period, and Barcelona's next game sees them take on Brest, who are undefeated in the competition.
