Barcelona coach Flick left ‘dumbfounded’ by chaotic kickoff times in packed schedule

Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick has lauded his squad’s tenacity as they continue to challenge on three fronts this season. However, he expressed frustration over the scheduling of their upcoming LaLiga clash against Celta Vigo, as he wishes to provide his players with additional rest.

The league leaders, Barcelona, reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after overcoming Borussia Dortmund on aggregate and are set to face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final later this month.

With a four-point advantage over their rivals, Barca have the chance to bolster their title aspirations when they face Celta Vigo on Saturday. Nevertheless, Flick raised concerns regarding the league’s decision to hold the match at an early time rather than later in the day.

Flick highlighted the need for more recovery time for players, noting that their return to Barcelona from European away fixtures is often very late, with many not getting to bed until 5 am.

“Every league protects their clubs, especially when they are involved in the semi-finals of the Champions League. It’s unbelievable that we have so little time to recover,” Flick remarked to journalists on Friday.

“I want to discuss this with those responsible… I don’t want to make excuses or complain. I’m glad we’re not facing Valladolid on Sunday at 2:00 pm.

“But why can’t we have a later kickoff at 6:00 pm like usual? Give me one good reason. To me, it’s a farce, and it negatively impacts Spanish football. Other teams in different European leagues gain from this.”

“I’m at a loss for words because this situation is simply unbelievable. In the Bundesliga or the Premier League, they ensure their clubs’ welfare… They (LaLiga) have no understanding of the implications of arriving late for the players.”

Celta Vigo currently sit seventh in the league, pursuing a chance for European competition, and Flick praised their 37-year-old manager Claudio Giraldez, who has rejuvenated a side that struggled in the previous three seasons, finishing in the lower half of the table.

“I hold a great deal of respect for his efforts; he has assembled an excellent team… his age has nothing to do with it,” Flick acknowledged.

“Celta have a clear strategy for how they want to play; they are quite bold in their build-up.

“It’s vital for us to demonstrate our strengths, perhaps reflecting on what we lacked against Dortmund. We need to learn from those situations and perform at our absolute best tomorrow… They also enjoy their away games.”