Barcelona president Joan Laporta has spoken after the team’s two big defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla before the international break.
There’s been a ton of criticism against manager Hansi
Flick and the players since, but Flick provided his support to them and agreed with the words of sporting director Deco, who said earlier in the week that Barça cannot take last season’s success for granted and must continue to work hard.
“It’s a [good] reflection. We’re coming off three major titles last season —the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and La Liga—and we just missed out on the Champions League, which is even more motivation for this year. What they want is for there to be no slacking off, for us to have the same intensity, the same spirit, the same desire, the same hunger as last year.
“We still believe, of course, in the team and in Hansi Flick. Deco made some very accurate statements. It’s true that we have a very competitive team if we work hard. That’s what Hansi and the players are for, and they’ll move in this direction. This year we have to maintain this tension, and those were two very good reflections from Deco and Flick.”
A lot of criticism surrounding Barça’s last two losses has been directed at Flick’s system, but that system was very successful last season thanks to the relentless commitment from the players. The coach certainly must find some answers to help his team evolve and improve, but the players also must rediscover the passion and intensity we saw last year.
