Barcelona's Coach Points Out the Reason for the Defeat Against Girona

The 1-2 defeat to Girona not only caused Barcelona to come away with nothing but also revealed many critical problems in the way the team plays at Camp Nou.

After the match, Coach Hansi Flick openly identified the main cause behind this painful setback as the team's poor defensive transition capabilities.

Against a Girona FC struggling near the bottom of the table, Barcelona was clearly the favorite. The Catalan side started well, creating several clear chances in the first half. However, in the second half, the momentum completely shifted. Girona played aggressively, launched sharp counterattacks, and consistently exploited the spaces behind Barca's defense.

In his post-match comments, Hansi Flick did not shy away from responsibility. He admitted that the team had “defended very poorly, especially during transition phases”. According to the German coach, this was the critical weakness that cost Barcelona dearly. When possession was lost, the players failed to quickly retreat and organize defensively, allowing Girona to launch dangerous counterattacks.

Another significant turning point came late in the first half when Barcelona was awarded a penalty but failed to convert it. Flick believed that moment had a major psychological impact on the entire team. “We missed the penalty and you could feel the fatigue,” he said. That disappointment seemed to cause Barca to lose the sharpness needed in the second half.

It’s not just tactical issues; fitness is also a big concern. Flick acknowledged signs of fatigue among his players amid a congested schedule. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the season is long and Barcelona must swiftly restore their identity. “We have to get back to our style of play because right now we are making too many mistakes,” the 59-year-old manager asserted.

As a consequence of this defeat, Barcelona lost the La Liga top spot to Real Madrid. In an already tight title race, every slip-up is costly. Losing to a lower-ranked opponent clearly delivers a heavy blow to the ambitions of the Catalan club.

The issue now is not only about points but also about morale and consistency. If Barcelona fails to quickly improve their defensive transitions and increase focus during critical moments, they risk losing their advantage in the remainder of the season.

The loss to Girona serves as a wake-up call for Coach Hansi Flick and his squad. As Flick himself admitted, Barcelona must rise immediately if they don't want the La Liga trophy to slip away.