
Barcelona had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in their recent La Liga clash, a result that prevented them from taking full advantage of Real Madrid’s earlier slip-up.
Despite the dropped points, the Catalan club managed to maintain their position at the top of the La Liga table with 67 points, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. Their next fixture will be an away game against Leganés on April 12, while Real Betis will host Villarreal the following day.
According to the Spanish outlet El Nacional, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was deeply disappointed with the outcome of the match, feeling that his team failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to widen the gap at the top. Flick’s frustration was largely directed at teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, whom he blamed for the draw.
The coach was reportedly furious over Yamal’s wastefulness in front of goal and his over-reliance on dribbling, which disrupted the team’s offensive rhythm. Upon returning to the locker room, Flick reportedly told the young winger, “At this level, we’re handing the title to Real Madrid. I don’t want to see this kind of performance again.”
Flick’s disappointment didn’t stop with Yamal. He also criticized defenders Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé for what he viewed as underwhelming displays.
Both players were considered liabilities during the game, failing to offer solidity in defense or meaningful contributions going forward. Flick issued a stern warning that they could lose their starting positions if their performances don’t improve.
Tensions escalated even further when club president Joan Laporta entered the locker room post-match. Laporta, visibly angry, confronted Flick and expressed dissatisfaction with his managerial choices.
He specifically criticized Flick’s decision to substitute midfield stars Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, interpreting the move as a lack of desire to win. The president warned Flick against repeating such tactical decisions in the future.
Moreover, Laporta questioned why Robert Lewandowski was allowed to play the entire match despite a lackluster performance, while Ferran Torres, who had shown strong form recently, was substituted. The incident highlights growing pressure on Flick from both the club hierarchy and fans, especially as the title race intensifies in the final stretch of the season.
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