Hansi Flick Disrupts The Unreasonable La Liga Schedule

Hansi Flick criticized La Liga's schedule for letting Barcelona players have a little rest time (Instagram/@fcbarcelona).

JAKARTA - Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised his team's toughness while they were still competing in three games this season. However, he complained about the next La Liga match against Celta Vigo as he wanted to give his players more rest time.

La Liga leaders, Barcelona, advanced to the semifinals of the Champions League after beating Borussia Dortmund 5-3 on aggregate, while they also face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final later this month.

With a four-point advantage over Real Madrid in the league table, the Blaugrana can steal a win against Celta Vigo on Saturday, April 19, 2025, WIB night.

However, Flick questioned the league for not scheduling matches in the afternoon instead of starting early.

Flick said the players needed more time to rest because they arrived back at Barcelona very late from an away game in Europe and had just slept at 5 a.m.

"Every league protects their club, especially as they play in the Champions League semifinals. It's absolutely unbelievable, we don't have time to rest," Flick told reporters on Friday, April 18, 2025, local time.

"For me, the people responsible for that--I want to discuss it with them."

"I don't want to find excuses or complain. I'm glad we didn't play on Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2 p.m. against Valladolid."

"However, why can't we play at 6 pm like we usually do? Give me one reason."

"For me, it's a joke and it affects Spanish football. Other teams in European leagues are benefiting."

"I can't say anything because this situation is absolutely unbelievable. In the Bundesliga or the Premier League, they take care of their club."

"They (La Liga) don't know what this means (it's too late) for the players," said Hansi Flick.

Apart from that, Celta Vigo is in seventh place in the La Liga standings, pursuing opportunities to play in European tournaments.

Flick also praised 37-year-old opposing coach Claudio Giraldez, who came this season and was able to lift the club after the last three seasons at the bottom.

"I really respect his work, he coached a great team. It has nothing to do with his age."

"Celta have clear ideas about how they want to play, they are very brave at building attacks."

"For us, it is important for us to show our strength, maybe what we missed in Dortmund."

"We're talking about the situation we're in Dortmund and we have to play better."

"We have to play at our highest level. In addition, they love their away game," Flick said.

Barcelona will host Celta Vigo at the Olympic Lluis Companys Stadium in the 32nd week of La Liga, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 21.15 WIB.