Barcelona Given Rest by Hansi Flick After El Clasico Defeat

Hansi Flick, the manager of Barcelona, has decided to give his first-team players a two-day break after their tough 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in El Clasico. This defeat ended Barcelona's unbeaten streak in La Liga. The German coach wants his squad to recover both physically and mentally after a demanding schedule that has affected their form.

The recent defeat followed a 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Reports from SPORT reveal that Flick noticed a clear drop in his team's sharpness during these matches. Instead of focusing immediately on tactical changes, he opted to prioritize rest to help the players regain their energy. Training is paused until Wednesday to allow for this recovery period.

Lamine Yamal Shines at Ballon d'Or Ceremony

While most of the team rests, a few players attended the Ballon d'Or event in London. Lamine Yamal, Joan Garcia, and Rodri were present, but defender Pau Cubarsi stayed back to focus on recovering his fitness.

The night was memorable for Yamal, who finished third in the overall Ballon d'Or rankings, just behind winner Harry Kane and runner-up Kylian Mbappe. Yamal also won his third consecutive Kopa Trophy. Despite this, he praised Cubarsi, calling him the rightful recipient due to his impressive form and recognition as the World Cup's best young player.

Travel Delays and Fatigue Affect Barcelona's Form

Flick's worries about fatigue have been growing for nearly two weeks. Problems started when the team faced severe travel disruptions returning from Seville because of bad weather in Catalonia. The squad was stuck on a plane for over an hour before returning to their hotel, which shortened their recovery time before the crucial European match against PSG.

Combined with injuries and a packed schedule, this led to the drop in performance. Flick believes that taking a mental break and sticking closely to dietary plans is necessary to bring back the energy that marked the start of their season.

Focus Shifts to Tactical Preparation Ahead of Alaves

The squad will resume training on Wednesday. After resting, their attention will turn to reviewing tactics and addressing mistakes exposed in the recent defeats. Flick hopes the pause will help reset the team as they prepare for their upcoming La Liga game against Alaves.

Upcoming Matches:
Barcelona vs Alaves: 31 Oct 2026, 22:00
San Sebastian vs Real Madrid: 1 Nov 2026, 17:15