Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed his frustration over the packed schedule, which is taking a toll on his players.
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Dani Olmo sustains injury
Barça felt the effects of the compressed schedule as the team lost Dani Olmo to injury in their 3-0 win over Osasuna, a match they were forced to play.
The game was initially postponed earlier this month following the passing of Barça’s first-team doctor, Carles Miñarro, and rescheduled for this week after the international break, despite protests from both teams.
Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski secured the victory for Barca, moving them three points clear at the top of LaLiga.
However, the victory was marred by Olmo’s injury.
ESPN reported that Olmo will undergo tests for an adductor problem on Friday.
“Today we made the best of the situation we have,” Flick said in the post-game news conference.
“It’s not the right date for playing this match. After the international break, it was not good. We have three points more, but we paid a really high price for the injury of Dani, it’s not good.
“We don’t know how long he will be out. If it’s two weeks it means a lot of matches. Or three weeks more matches. It’s not a good situation. The price was very high for the three points.”
Flick slams packed schedule
Barca had to play the game without Raphinha, who recently suited up for Brazil.
Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo remained on the bench after returning late from Uruguay duty on Wednesday.
Barca began a grueling stretch of seven games in 20 days, with Sunday’s league match against Girona set to kick off.
Flick warns that the packed calendar is ruining the game of football, adding that this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, which Barca will not participate in, will only make things worse.
“I think you have to listen to the players,” he added.
“This is the important thing. And also to the coaches. In summer there is the World Cup for the clubs. It’s tough. The [UEFA] Nations League, international breaks…”
“I don’t think it’s a good thing this World Cup, in my opinion. OK, you can earn a lot of money, but for the players it’s not good. We have to stop and think about the players.”
“Fans want every player to give 100%, to see a spectacle … and when it goes on this way, I think it’s not at this level. We cannot play on this level. Not only us, but also the other teams who will play the World Cup.”
