Hansi Flick turns a deaf ear to Barcelona players’ request after El Clasico triumph

Saturday night was one that FC Barcelona fans will remember for a long time as their team annihilated arch-rivals Real Madrid, beating them 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The result, coming days after another dominant win over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, further strengthened the belief that Hansi Flick is brewing something special at the Catalan club since taking over from Xavi Hernandez.

Old habits vs new regime

There has been a lot of talk about how things are different and much better with regard to physical preparation and intensity of training under Flick than it was under Xavi.

Now, AS has brought out another stark difference in how the German tactician handles things compared to his predecessor.

Xavi, during his stint, was known for rewarding his players when they met or exceeded objectives. Before each important match, the coach would set various ‘challenges’, and if achieved, the squad would receive rewards.

The most common prize was an extra day off, though dinner outings and other perks were also offered.

However, since Flick’s arrival, such incentives have vanished from daily operations.

Barcelona players requested for an additional day off after El Clasico win. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)

As per the report, the Barcelona squad attempted to squeeze in a ‘challenge’ after their triumph at the Bernabeu last night. In a seemingly casual manner, players began chanting in the dressing room, “Three days off, three days off!”

A staff member conveyed this request to the German coach, explaining that the team wanted an additional day off beyond the two already scheduled for next week. Flick’s response was unequivocal: “No third day off.”

The matter did not end there, as during training today, players again hinted at the possibility of a reward for their display against Real Madrid, but the manager’s response remained unchanged: “Everyone here on Wednesday.”

Celebrations despite restrictions

This stance from Flick does not reflect any dissatisfaction with his team’s performance. The coach personally congratulated each player following their masterclass at the Bernabeu.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta similarly waited at the aircraft steps to greet and congratulate each member, while the players, particularly the youngsters, could not contain their excitement either.

The youthful exuberance was understandable as many were celebrating their first Clasico victory, made sweeter by the resounding 4-0 scoreline.

But, the Barça players will have only two days (Monday and Tuesday) off rather than the three they had hoped for.