Barcelona (AFP) - German coach Hansi Flick is looking for a "different mentality" after Barcelona gave up the lead in the Spanish Football League to its rival Real Madrid.

Published on: 02/20/2026 - 09:51

Since the German arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2024, things have gone better than he could have hoped for, at least until last week.

Reviving the Catalan giant and leading it to the domestic treble last season, in addition to reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in six years, is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement.

However, the current season was more complicated in a way that was partially affected by injuries. However, the team continued to move steadily before two successive defeats caused morale to shake as it entered the decisive phase of the season.

Barcelona enters Sunday's match with Levante at Camp Nou in the twenty-fifth round after surrendering the top spot in the league to its rival Real Madrid, who is visiting Osasuna on Saturday.

On Monday, Barcelona paid the price for its defeat to its Catalan neighbor Girona 1-2 at the end of the stage.

This fall came a few days after a harsh 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the local cup semi-final, in one of Barcelona's worst matches since Flick's arrival.

The Catalan club protested against refereeing errors in the two matches. Although the technical committee of referees admitted that there were some errors, this does not exempt the team from two disturbing performances.

“I want to see a different mentality.”

“We are not in a good mood, and we are not in a good moment,” Flick said, adding, “I gave the players two days of rest, because I think it is important for them to reset things.”

The German coach said that his team, which hopes to restore the services of playmaker Pedri against Levante, may feel exhausted, but it needs to raise its level of focus.

He continued, "(The mistakes) may have something to do with fatigue... but in the end we have to have the hunger to win matches. "When they come back (from the two days of rest), I want to see a different mentality, a different level, and for them to train and play according to that.”

Since Flick's arrival, Barcelona has played in an intense attacking style with high pressure and an advanced defense line, which has led to many goal-heavy matches.

But with multiple injuries this season, perhaps resulting from the great physical pressure imposed by his style, the team is creating fewer chances and wasting more.

The level of the two centre-forwards, Polish Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, also declined in 2026, while the defense remained fragile as usual.

With Pedri missing eight of the last 14 league matches, the team lacked control in the midfield.

Flick's recent statements, in which he stressed that he would not change his style regardless of his opponent, raised some concern.

The coach said last week, "I don't care if they play with five defenders or have a fast striker. We have quality and that's what I want to see."

But recent results suggest he may need more tactical flexibility.

The speed of the Nigerian wingers Ademola Lookman and the Argentine Juliano Simeone tore apart Barcelona's defense against Atletico.

Although Barcelona remains the most prominent candidate against Levante, which is ranked nineteenth, the three matches that follow, before playing the Champions League round of 16, will be decisive in preventing its season from slipping out of its hands.

In these next three matches, Barcelona faces its guest, the impressive Villarreal, then plays the second leg of the cup semi-final against Atletico, before a complicated visit to San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona may enter the match between Levante and Real Madrid with a 5-point lead over it if the Royal Club wins over its host Osasuna X on Saturday, in its first appearance after the controversy that accompanied its victory away from home over Benfica of Portugal 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

Brazilian Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the match with a wonderful shot, then went to the referee to accuse Benfica's Argentine player, Gianluca Priestiani, of racially insulting him.

The match was stopped for 15 minutes in implementation of the anti-racism protocol, amid arguments between the players of the two teams and the technical crews.

Real reported on Thursday that it had presented “all available evidence” to the European Football Association (UEFA) regarding what happened.

The Royal Club said in a statement: “Our club cooperated effectively with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable racist incidents that occurred during this match.”

Real expressed its gratitude "for the support, consensus, backing and affection that our player Vinicius Junior received from all actors in the world of football," stressing that he will continue to work to "eliminate racism, violence and hatred in sports and society."

The Continental Union announced on Wednesday that it had opened an investigation into accusations of “discriminatory behavior” on the part of Pristiani, who denied what was attributed to him on his Instagram account.

Away from the conflict between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Villarreal hopes to remain alone in third place when it faces its guest Valencia on Sunday, while its pursuer, Atletico, plays its guest Espanyol on Saturday.

© 2026 AFP

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