Barcelona stunned by Flick’s unexpected warning before key clash | OneFootball

Barcelona begins against Celta de Vigo having secured a spot in the Champions League semifinals and leading La Liga. The unbeaten record is a confidence builder, but the team knows the pressure of losing to Borussia Dortmund and realizes this match demands more focus. On the other side, Celta de Vigo comes with back-to-back away victories and a coach who is familiar with the strengths of the opponent. Barcelona has the advantage, but there is no room for complacency.

Hansi Flick's message and internal pressure

The German coach left no room for illusions. After the 3-1 loss against Borussia Dortmund, he admitted, "We have to prove our strengths, something we didn't do too well in Dortmund." It's with such a level of self-imposition that Barcelona enters Celta's game. Flick labeled the game as "difficult" and noted the quality of the opponent, "They're a very good team with a brave playing style." He also made an extra effort to praise the rival coach, "It's fantastic to see his career, I respect him a lot," he said of Claudio Giráldez. He knows that the team needs more than possession and ball mastery. Against Celta, the tactical reading needs to be avant-garde. The coach knows that the opposition has character. "We'll have to play well," he insisted. The message to the team was uncomplicated, "We've studied everything and the team is aware of what it has to do tomorrow. I hope they can do it." That statement contains more responsibility than hope.

Borussia Dortmund v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg | Alex Grimm/GettyImages

A consistent streak as the pillar of faith

Barcelona has not lost in La Liga since 12 games. Ten wins and two draws have made them invincible. In 2025, the team is still unbeaten in the top five European leagues, along with PSG and Roma, which testifies to the solidity of their campaign. That mark did not happen by chance, but through a mix of defensive solidity, better offensive output, and a management that has learned to make the most out of the squad. The team is not perfect, but it has achieved a level of stability that matters. Their recent history against Celta is also a plus. Barcelona have won 11 of their last 14 home matches against the Galicians, including the last three. A win this time would equate a streak they hadn't done since 2014, four straight home victories against the same opponents. On top of that, they've scored in all of their last 11 league meetings with Celta, the longest streak this century. Delivering focused even on a packed agenda

Flick did not dispute that the agenda is full and exhausting.

He cited the run of matches as a challenge, but refused to use it as an excuse. "I don't want excuses," he said bluntly. However, he suggested that clubs require a bit more protection at this stage of the season. The stress to produce results has not waned, despite little rest. That’s why the coach made sure to highlight the effort of his players, “I’m proud of them because they give everything.”

That trust in the team is apparent in what he's been doing. He singled out Koundé, welcoming the defense man's show. On Lamine Yamal, he announced, "He's a 17-year-old genius. If the numbers and he himself convince that he's okay, he'll play, like them." On Iñigo Martínez, he used superlative language, "Total leader." And on Olmo and Fermín, he said, "Olmo is ready, but let's see on Saturday. Fermín played very good too." These observations are realistic. Flick is working with what he has and betting on mass intelligence. The talent is available, but it must fit in with the beat of a system that puts enormous value on tempo and positioning. The match with Celta is another test case for how this machine holds up under pressure.

Celta holds to its vision and doubles down on identity

RC Celta de Vigo v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports | Octavio Passos/GettyImages

Celta de Vigo makes the trip to Montjuic with proof of better performance on the road. They are unbeaten in their last four La Liga away games, two victories and two draws, as many positives as they recorded in the 15 earlier away games in total. They've won their last two away and now look for a third straight away win, something that hasn't happened since January 2018.

That momentum comes at the perfect time. With a coach such as Claudio Giráldez at the helm, the team has found its distinct identity. Hailing Barcelona's season ahead of the match, he stated, "If they're not the best team in the world at the moment, they're one of the top two or three."

Girál­dez adds, commenting on what he believes is a need of the competitor, "All of that relies on an intense spirit in the group and a belonging in every game stage, in which there's unity that I believe also exemplifies, I often say in our case, as with them, in how the players' responses are made at difficult game moments, good game moments, in which the everyone who joins the game, one can appreciate they bring much to the cause and have an incredibly clear head for it, and with enormous amounts of devotion to the Flick has imbued in them."