Barcelona sealed a 3–1 win over Alaves last Saturday at the Spotify Camp Nou. Yet the game created more noise off the pitch.
A viral image of Hansi Flick looking dejected while Raphinha appeared to console him sparked massive speculation online.
Fans suggested tension. Others claimed the manager was unhappy with a player. Some even hinted at internal dressing-room unrest.
But Flick has now stepped forward to clear the air before Barcelona’s crucial La Liga showdown with Atletico Madrid.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, as highlighted by Fabrizio Romano, Flick addressed the photo with calm and humor.
“My moment with Raphinha? Well, it was a funny thing, I don’t know who first described that I was sad. I was frustrated, we lost a lot of balls, and I was also frustrated because we got two suspensions from the bench,” he said.
The German insisted his reaction had nothing to do with Raphinha or any player. He explained that the team’s careless turnovers and the disciplinary issues from the bench caused his frustration. Nothing more. Nothing deeper.
Flick’s message tracks with his ongoing demands for higher levels of control. He has repeatedly pushed his squad to keep possession better, reduce errors, and maintain composure in tight moments.
Even so, the coach looked visibly shaken after the Alaves match. The intensity of the moment was clear. But Barcelona now hope he has reset, regrouped, and recovered in time for the high-stakes battle against Atletico.
The spotlight moves on. The pressure rises. And Flick steps into the next showdown ready to shift the narrative back to football where it belongs.
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