Atletico Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory over their rivals and hosts, Barcelona, in a highly anticipated La Liga clash. The win propelled Atletico Madrid to the top of the La Liga standings with 41 points, while Barcelona dropped to second place, three points behind, with 38.
Barcelona is scheduled to face Getafe away on January 18, while Atletico will host Osasuna at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The Spanish newspaper El Nacional reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta was furious over the team’s loss, which also cost them their lead in the league standings. Barcelona’s recent performance has been disappointing, with the team collecting only 5 points out of a possible 21 in their last matches.
After the match, Laporta stormed into the team’s locker room and confronted coach Hansi Flick, blaming him for the team’s poor results. Laporta criticized Flick for his continued trust in Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who has been underperforming.
Laporta issued a stern warning to Flick, stating that if the team’s situation does not improve, it could result in Flick’s dismissal. He reportedly demanded that Lewandowski be excluded from the starting lineup in upcoming matches.
Despite his anger, Laporta expressed support for young midfielder Pedri, praising his effort during the game. Laporta told Pedri, “You fought alone tonight. I wish the other 11 players had your spirit.”
Hansi Flick was also reportedly upset after the match, holding Lewandowski and Marc Casado accountable for the defeat. Flick criticized Lewandowski for squandering clear scoring opportunities, which he believes has significantly contributed to Barcelona’s struggles this season.
The report further highlighted Flick’s intention to implement major changes within the team. He plans to undertake a comprehensive reform and restructuring process to address the team’s ongoing issues and restore its competitive edge in La Liga.
As tensions rise within the Barcelona camp, the coming weeks will be crucial for both the players and coaching staff as they work to regain form and stay in contention for the league title.
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