Fermin Lopez reveals what Hansi Flick did after Barcelona’s lacklustre 2nd-half display vs Espanyol | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have achieved an aggregate score of 16-3 from their last four games across all competitions against Sevilla, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Espanyol, in that order. To say that they are the most in-form team in Europe at the moment might be an understatement.

Hansi Flick has set this team up to play extremely entertaining, highly attacking football, which is seeing them score a lot of goals while conceding very few in return. However, the German coach would be the first to admit that the team dropped their level in the second half against Espanyol.

Flick would certainly not have been happy with what he saw from his team. Ahead of the Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona midfield gem Fermin Lopez revealed what Hansi Flick did after Barcelona’s lacklustre 2nd-half display in the Catalan derby. Here is what he said:

“It’s true that in the second half the other day we relaxed a bit. The coach pushed us after the match. I don’t think it will happen again, I think the team is doing a great job, and we need to keep it up. Tomorrow we’ll definitely keep playing our football to try to win.”

The German coach himself claimed that, although he understood what happened in the second half against Espanyol, he had told the team that they now need to focus on what is a new game. The coach said:

“On Sunday, I also told the team that we had played fantastically over the last month, including the first half, but it’s normal for them to relax. I’ve played football too, and I know these things happen. You’re winning 3-0, and everything seems easy. Sometimes you have to accept that the team drops its level, but now it’s a different competition, and winning is very important.”

These words from both Fermin Lopez and Hansi Flick show how high the standards have been set for the team. No drop-offs of any kind are appreciated, and this is why Barcelona have been relentless for much of the season so far.

When mediocrity is set as the standard, poor performance becomes acceptable. For the past few years at Barcelona, mediocrity has been the norm, which is why they have been unable to rise above their level and challenge top teams in the Champions League.

Hansi Flick, in his short time as Barcelona’s coach, has changed the team’s mindset. He doesn’t want his players to settle for what they have in any game; he wants them to keep pushing until the last minute. This is what the team failed to do against Espanyol.

Against Red Star Belgrade, Flick will be keen for his team to return to their relentless ways. It remains to be seen how they perform against the Serbian side. A big win could be on the cards, and only time will tell how it actually plays out.