Barcelona missed an opportunity to take advantage of Liverpool’s loss, managing only a 2-2 draw against Atalanta in their final Champions League group stage match. As a result, they finished second in their group with 19 points, failing to claim the top spot.
Coach Hansi Flick was visibly frustrated with his team’s performance, particularly with Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo.
He believed their presence in the starting lineup significantly contributed to the team’s inability to secure a victory. Reflecting on the match, Flick admitted that he regretted starting them, suggesting their inclusion played a key role in Barcelona dropping points.
Despite an impressive goal and a strong individual performance from Lamine Yamal, Flick was critical of the young forward’s playing style.
He pointed out that Yamal’s tendency to overdribble and hold onto the ball for too long disrupted Barcelona’s overall game. The coach made it clear that Yamal needed to make adjustments, warning that he could be left out of future starting lineups if he did not prioritize the team’s collective play.
The tension escalated further when Barcelona president Joan Laporta entered the dressing room after the match. Laporta was displeased with Flick’s lineup choices, particularly his decision to start Lewandowski, De Jong, and Araujo.
He suggested that fielding this trio had hindered the team’s chances of winning and warned the coach that persisting with these selections could put the team’s season at risk. Laporta believed that Barcelona could have secured a victory with a different approach.
Laporta’s intervention added to the pressure already mounting on Flick. With Barcelona advancing to the next stage of the competition, scrutiny over the coach’s decisions is likely to intensify, and his ability to manage the squad effectively will be closely watched in the coming matches.
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