Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has opened up about how deeply his time at the Catalan club has impacted him, both emotionally and professionally. Speaking ahead of Barça’s pivotal Champions League group stage showdown with Olympiakos Piraeus, the German tactician reflected on his touchline behavior and the passion he now brings to his role—an intensity he says he didn’t exhibit during his Bayern Munich days.
A Changed Man on the Sidelines
Flick, known for his composed demeanor during his tenure at Bayern, revealed a more emotional side during Monday’s press conference. His comments come just days after he was sent off during Barcelona’s dramatic 2-1 LaLiga victory over Girona—a match sealed by Ronald Araujo’s stoppage-time winner.
“I’m not necessarily more nervous,” Flick admitted. “But I definitely feel emotions differently now. This club has completely changed me.”
The 60-year-old was visibly emotional during that Girona match and was shown a red card in the final moments for allegedly protesting against officiating decisions. Reflecting on the incident, Flick expressed discomfort at seeing himself act out of character.
“I don’t like seeing myself that way, especially when I think about my grandchildren watching. Maybe it’s time I reconsider how I handle those moments,” he added.
Champions League Pressure Builds
The emotional reveal comes at a critical moment for Barcelona. Last season, Flick’s side came within minutes of reaching their first Champions League final in ten years. However, a group stage loss to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this season has raised the stakes for their upcoming fixture.
Barcelona currently sit 16th in the Champions League table with three points from two matches, while Olympiakos are further down in 29th with just a single point. Anything short of a win could complicate Barça’s path to the knockout stages.
Injury Crisis Forces Tactical Tweaks
Compounding the pressure, Flick faces a mounting injury list that includes Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Dani Olmo. With few attacking options available, he is expected to field a youthful and somewhat experimental front line.
Fermin Lopez is likely to start on the left, with Marcus Rashford operating as the central striker, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal lining up on the right.
“Marcus gives us flexibility—he can play as a number 9 or as a winger,” Flick explained. “He’s brought a lot of positives to the team, and his versatility is important for us, especially in moments like this.”
Touchline Ban Appeal Underway
Barcelona have formally appealed Flick’s red card in hopes of having him available for their high-stakes El Clásico against Real Madrid this Saturday. Barça currently trail their rivals by just two points in LaLiga. However, Flick himself seemed realistic about the appeal’s chances.
“I didn’t intend to disrespect the referee,” he said. “I wasn’t directing my frustration at him, but he interpreted it that way, and I have to accept that.”
Still, the coach remains optimistic about his squad’s mindset. “The atmosphere in the team is excellent. We’re a young group, and this kind of spirit is exactly what we need right now.”
