Barcelona board backs Flick as coach keeps his style and leaves door open to a defender
Barcelona's board reaffirmed its full confidence in Hansi Flick after back-to-back defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Flick answered by standing by his playing idea and leaving room for a winter move, with his defense badly depleted before Alavés.
Barcelona’s leadership has closed ranks around its coach. The board’s statement on 29 October was the club’s first official response to the team’s first back-to-back defeats of the season.
The board met at the club’s offices. The meeting had originally been planned for Tarragona.
One day later, Flick made clear there would be no change of course. He believes the team’s playing idea is the best one for this squad. He also insisted his commitment is unchanged. He is very happy at the club, he said, and the two defeats in one week change nothing.
Two defeats in a week ended a perfect start
The loss in Paris ended Barcelona’s perfect start to 2026/27, according to the club’s match report. Until that night, the team had won every game.
The Clásico followed on 25 October in front of 62,055 fans. Kylian Mbappé put Real Madrid ahead in the 41st minute. Raphinha equalized in the 61st. Mbappé struck again in the 87th to settle the match.
Barcelona remain top of LaLiga. However, the margin over Real Madrid is now slim. A team that had not lost all season now has to show it can respond to pressure.
Only two fit center-backs remain for Alavés
The Clásico also cost Barcelona another defender. Xavi Espart injured the syndesmosis in his right ankle in a collision with an opponent. He is expected to be out for about seven weeks, the club’s medical report said.
Flick listed Jules Koundé, Espart, Eric García and Andreas Christensen as injured. Being four defenders short is hard to manage, he admitted. Frenkie de Jong is an option in central defense if needed.
The shortage shaped Flick’s answer on the winter window. He talks with Deco, Bojan and his staff every day. The window opens in a few weeks, and the club may act if it can. That falls short of a commitment to sign anyone. But it is a clear signal that the defense is under review.
For now, the coach must work with what he has. His message is that the defensive crisis will not change the way the team plays. The next test of that stance comes quickly.
Barcelona host Alavés at Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday 31 October at 21:00 Spanish time, on LaLiga Matchday 11.
Sources
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid (LaLiga)
News – FC Barcelona Official Channel (FC Barcelona)
Champions League highlights and round-up: Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona as Liverpool stay perfect (UEFA)
La Junta Directiva del FC Barcelona reitera su confianza en Flick y Sekulic (Diario Siglo XXI (Europa Press))
