Barcelona coach Hansi Flick criticized his team’s performance in their 3-0 win against nine-man Mallorca, stating they played at only 50% capacity. Despite goals from Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal, Flick was unhappy with the lack of intensity after Mallorca’s two red cards. The match was also marked by controversy over Barcelona’s second goal, with Mallorca’s coach Jagoba Arrasate criticizing the referee’s decisions. Barcelona faces Levante next, while Mallorca hosts Celta Vigo.
Hansi Flick, the Barcelona coach, expressed his dissatisfaction with his team's performance despite their 3-0 victory against Mallorca in LaLiga. Flick criticized his players for operating at "50%" capacity, particularly after Mallorca were reduced to nine men, suggesting a lack of intensity and focus despite the numerical advantage. The victory, while securing three crucial points, was overshadowed by Flick's concerns about the team's attitude and execution.
Barcelona's match against Mallorca began promisingly, with Raphinha and Ferran Torres scoring within the first 23 minutes, establishing a comfortable lead. Later in the game, Lamine Yamal added a third goal, further solidifying Barcelona's dominance on the scoreboard. However, the match's trajectory took a dramatic turn when Mallorca suffered two red cards, significantly altering the dynamics of the contest. Manu Morlanes received his second yellow card for a foul on Yamal, while Vedat Muriqi was dismissed for serious foul play after a high boot caught Barcelona's goalkeeper Joan Garcia. These dismissals left Mallorca with nine players for a significant portion of the match, presenting Barcelona with a golden opportunity to assert their dominance.
Despite the two-man advantage, Barcelona struggled to capitalize fully, failing to convert their opportunities with the ruthlessness expected of a top team. Throughout the second half, Barcelona maintained sustained pressure, registering 17 shots, which accumulated to an expected goals (xG) value of 1.43. They managed to direct six of these shots on target, yet they only managed to add one more goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time, highlighting their struggles in front of goal. This inefficiency and lack of clinical finishing frustrated Flick, who believed his team should have been more decisive and commanding against a depleted opponent.
In his post-match remarks to Movistar, Flick conveyed his disappointment, stating, "I didn’t like the game. They are three important points, but I didn’t like the game." He elaborated on his concerns, adding, "After going 2-0 up and with the red cards, the team played at 50% and I didn’t like it at all. We will talk about it." Flick's comments underscore his high expectations and his commitment to instilling a winning mentality within the team. He emphasized the need for greater intensity and focus, even when facing a weakened opponent.
Flick elaborated on his disappointment, saying, "Of course, I didn’t like it, we had control of the ball and the game. We have to score and that’s all we can say. It’s not possible to play at 50 or 60%, even against nine players." He stressed the importance of maintaining high standards regardless of the circumstances, emphasizing that a team of Barcelona's caliber should always strive for excellence. Flick's candid assessment reflects his desire to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and relentless pursuit of perfection within the squad.
The match was not without controversy, particularly concerning Barcelona's second goal. Ferran Torres scored while Mallorca defender Antonio Raillo was on the ground, having been struck in the head by a fierce shot from Yamal. Mallorca's players vehemently protested, arguing that the game should have been halted. However, Flick defended his players, stating that they were instructed to play until the referee's whistle. He acknowledged that it was a refereeing decision that they had to respect, but the incident added another layer of complexity to the match.
Mallorca's coach, Jagoba Arrasate, was incensed by the decision to allow Barcelona's second goal, asserting that referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero had undermined the integrity of the game. Arrasate lamented the series of unfortunate events that plagued his team, including the dismissals and the disputed goal, which collectively contributed to their defeat. He voiced concerns about the overall quality of the match, particularly for fans who had invested in attending, emphasizing the need for greater attention to protecting the sport's integrity and ensuring a fair contest.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will travel to Levante for their second match of the season next Saturday. Meanwhile, Mallorca will host Celta Vigo, seeking to bounce back from their disappointing start and address the issues that contributed to their defeat against Barcelona. Both teams will aim to rectify their shortcomings and build momentum as the season progresses, with Barcelona seeking to meet Flick's expectations and Mallorca aiming to restore their competitive edge.