BREAKING NEWS: Xavi Hernández stirs controversy at Barcelona with a bold comment: “This player doesn’t deserve to start; he only wastes his teammates’ efforts.” He continued, “I had warned Hansi Flick about him, but he chose not to bench him, resulting in a loss to Las Palmas, a team battling relegation. Hansi Flick is repeating the same mistake, and I caution him that the team’s season will collapse, just like it did for me!”

Barcelona’s struggles in La Liga deepened as their winless streak extended to three games following a 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Las Palmas at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys.

The loss marked another frustrating outing for the Catalan side, further aggravated by the injury to Alejandro Balde during the first half.

Head coach Hansi Flick expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, criticising their lack of efficiency and inability to convert chances. “We didn’t play well today,” Flick admitted. “The team tried to get a good result, but it wasn’t our day.

We weren’t efficient and failed to take our opportunities.” Flick also highlighted the team’s recurring struggles in recent matches, particularly their difficulty in maintaining control and creating scoring chances. “When we control games, we perform well and generate opportunities. However, when we fail to dominate, that’s where our issues lie,” he explained.

Amid Barcelona’s on-field challenges, reports from Spanish outlet El Nacional revealed that former coach Xavi Hernandez had offered a pointed warning to Flick about player positioning. Specifically, Xavi cautioned against deploying French defender Jules Koundé as a right-back.

According to the report, Xavi described the decision to use Koundé in that role as an “unforgivable mistake” during his own tenure and urged Flick not to repeat it.

Xavi believed that playing Koundé out of his natural position could lead to further instability for the team, jeopardising their season despite their strong early performances.

The report underscores the importance of addressing tactical missteps and player roles as Barcelona attempts to rediscover form in the league. With mounting pressure on Flick to turn things around, decisions about squad management and match strategy could prove pivotal in reversing the team’s current trajectory.

For now, Barcelona’s struggles serve as a stark reminder of the fine margins in elite football and the challenges of maintaining consistency across a demanding season.