Flick admits Barcelona played poor game, as Real Madrid close gap

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has criticized his players and admitted the team’s performance was disappointing after the team blew a two-goal advantage at Celta Vigo to draw 2-2 in the La Liga at the weekend.

The Blaugrana raced into an early lead in the fifteenth minute thanks to Raphina, and it became a 2-0 lead on the hour mark with a goal from Polish striker Robert Lewandoski.

However, with the game almost over and six minutes left on the clock, Barcelona threw the lead away in just two second-half minutes. First, Marc Casado got sent off for Barcelona in the 82nd minute before Alfonso Gonzalez pulled one back for Celta Vigo two minutes later, while Hugo Alvarez stole a point for Celta a minute later.

Hansi Flick admitted Barcelona’s poor finish to the game and the need for the team to understand its luck and avoid a repeat of such in the future.

“It wasn’t just ten minutes. We played a very bad game today, we have to be honest. We made a lot of mistakes, and we weren’t confident with the ball in the first half. We didn’t play the football we’re used to. We were lucky with some situations, and in the end, we got a point, and we have to react because it can’t be repeated.” Flick said.

The result meant that Barcelona’s lead at the top of the La Liga table was reduced to four points at the end of matchday 14 after Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory away at Leganes.

Kylian Mbappé scored just before halftime, while Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham scored in the second half to put Los Blancos back in the title race, especially as they have a game in hand against Valencia. Should Real Madrid win that outstanding tie, they will be just a point behind league leaders Barcelona.