Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has let loose in an explosive press conference, calling out La Liga’s fixture scheduling as a “joke” ahead of a crucial game against Celta Vigo this Saturday.
With Barça leading La Liga by four points over Real Madrid and chasing glory on three fronts, Flick made it clear that the club’s intense April calendar—featuring nine matches, including a Champions League semi-final showdown with Inter Milan and the Copa del Rey final versus Real Madrid—is being made harder by what he sees as a lack of support from Spanish football authorities.
“Do you know how many matches we have played in recent weeks?” the German coach began, clearly exasperated. “And do you know we play late against Valladolid? We arrive very late, maybe the players are in their beds at four or five in the morning.”
Flick didn’t mince words about the challenges his squad is facing, especially with little recovery time between high-stakes fixtures.
“I don’t want to make excuses. But it happens here, and I’ve never had this before. Every league protects their clubs in the Champions League, and especially in the semi-final, it’s unbelievable.”
It was a direct jab at La Liga’s failure to provide the kind of flexibility and support seen in leagues like the Premier League or Bundesliga, where clubs competing in Europe are often given priority in fixture rescheduling to enhance performance on the continental stage.
“And we have no time to rest, and I want to discuss with the guys who are responsible. Because they have no idea how it is. No idea how it is.”
While he acknowledged a slight improvement in moving Barça’s game to Saturday night instead of a dreaded early Sunday kickoff, he was still clearly unimpressed.
“It’s just one thing. I don’t want to come here and complain or make excuses, and OK I’m happy it’s not Sunday at 14:00, as it was before, now we are playing on Saturday at 21:00 in the evening.
Why can we not play at 18:00 in the evening? Give me one reason. I want to see this guy that decides it, who is responsible for it. For me, it’s a joke. I think also bad for Spanish football.”
Flick also highlighted how this kind of scheduling not only harms Barcelona but undermines the broader success of Spanish football.
“If we are successful, the other teams in the Europa League, it’s good for Spanish football. Then we have one more team that can play in the Champions League. I am speechless. I have no words for that. It’s unbelievable the situation.”
In perhaps his most damning statement, the Barça boss said:
“Every Federation, the Bundesliga, Premier League, takes care of their clubs, but we don’t do it here. It’s just, ‘Ah, let them play, they can come back at five or six o’clock (in the morning).’ We have just reached bed for four hours. It’s unbelievable.”
Flick’s fury speaks to a broader issue in Spanish football—one that has repeatedly drawn criticism from managers across the league. But with Barça fighting on all fronts, the stakes are higher than ever.
It remains to be seen whether La Liga will respond or brush this off as just another frustrated coach venting. But one thing is certain: Hansi Flick won’t be staying silent.
