Flick Asks Barcelona Not To Imitate Real Madrid, Opportunities To The Top Of La Liga Are Wide Open

JAKARTA - Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has warned his players against showing weaknesses by arguing with the referee.

The German coach's comments refer to the Jude Bellingham incident from Real Madrid which was issued for denying the match referee against Osasuna on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero issued Bellingham in the 1-1 draw for saying very rudely.

The Briton confirmed that there was a miscommunication and he actually said "f--8 off" out of frustration.

Flick said the two comments were disrespectful. He has also told Barcelona players not to waste energy against the match referee's decision.

"When you say this to me, I don't think it's good. It's disrespectful. For me, it's like that."

"However, I do not have to decide (the punishment). It is not my authority to decide on this situation."

"I think, and this is what I've always told my players, why are you wasting your time or energy talking or discussing with the referee about this decision?"

"We have one person on the pitch who is allowed to discuss with the referee and that is the captain. We have to accept it."

"I don't like this behavior. I said it today to the players because it's very important."

"It's not good for the team if you do and get a red card. That's a weakness and we don't like it," Flick said in his opinion.

Losing Real Madrid points, plus Atletico Madrid's draw in second place against Celta Vigo, means Barcelona could move up from third to top of La Liga if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, early morning WIB.

Barcelona have been unbeaten in 11 matches in all stages since the turn of the year. However, they welcomed Rayo Vallecano's team who have avoided defeat in the last nine La Liga matches, the last league defeat on December 1, 2024.

Even though there was a chance to overtake the Madrid duo, Flick did not want to focus on the standings. The most important thing is to win the match against Vallecano.

"We are not looking into the standings. For us, it is very important at the end of the season to see what happens."

"It's far from the end. We want to show the performance we've made since the New Year started."

"Rayo played very well. Coach (Inigo Perez) played very well. They were a brave team."

"They pressed with real intensity, at home and away," Flick said after seeing the two title competitors slip this weekend.

Flick had no new injury problems for the match at the Olimpic Lluis Companys Stadium, with Ronald Araujo who was fit despite an ankle injury last week.

So, only Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Bernal are absent.