The international break has only just come to a close, but Barcelona already has a brutal run of matches ahead of them. But when Hansi Flick was asked whether he shared Carlo Ancelotti’s concerns, he did not hold back.
The international break has only just come to a close, but Barcelona already has a brutal run of matches ahead of them. With seven games in just 20 days, including crucial fixtures in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, the Blaugrana face a grueling schedule. However, it is Thursday’s rescheduled clash against Osasuna that has sparked controversy, as Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed his frustrations over the congested fixture list.
Despite their unbeaten run stretching to 18 matches across all competitions, the Blaugrana will now face four games in just nine days, starting with Osasuna. This scheduling chaos has become a major talking point, especially after Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti recently criticized La Liga for not providing teams with sufficient rest. Flick, however, had his own response—one that has made headlines right away.
Barcelona’s fixture against Osasuna was originally postponed due to the tragic passing of club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia. The game was then rescheduled for March 27, just 48 hours after the international break concluded—a move that left both Barcelona and Osasuna frustrated. Despite their appeals for a later date, the request was rejected.
The rescheduling means the Catalans will play Girona just 65 hours later, before traveling to the Wanda Metropolitano for their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid. With players like Raphinha and Ronald Araujo returning from long-haul flights, Flick was clear about the challenges they face.
Despite his frustrations, Flick remained adamant that the club would not use the scheduling as an excuse. “It’s not the best situation, but we’re not making excuses. The team is ready, and we have to go for it.”
What did Hansi Flick say about Real Madrid’s complaints?
The scheduling complaints took on a new dimension when Carlo Ancelotti recently warned La Liga that his team would refuse to play under similar conditions again. The Los Blancos boss had publicly voiced his frustration about his team playing two games in under 72 hours following their Champions League battle with Atletico Madrid.
When Flick was asked whether he shared Ancelotti’s concerns, the Barcelona manager did not hold back: “We are Barca, not Real Madrid. And I’m very proud that we are Barca.”
The German manager has made tough decisions ahead of the Osasuna game. Ronald Araujo, despite wanting to play, will be rested, while Raphinha is unavailable due to the short turnaround from international duty. However, Flick’s confidence in his squad remains high.
“We have to accept it,” he said about the schedule. “That’s how they decided. We can’t change it. It’s UEFA or FIFA’s job to decide whether players can rest. Ultimately, that’s how it is. La Liga has given the go-ahead.”
